This year’s Myopia Awareness Week theme is ‘Screens Down, Eyes Up’, highlighting the lifestyle changes necessary to keep healthy sight.
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is an increasingly common eye problem, and the leading cause of visual impairment in children. Studies have predicted that the global prevalence of myopia will rise from 28% of the world’s population, or two billion people in 2010, to 50% of the world’s population, or five billion people in 2050. Uncorrected shortsightedness is a leading cause of blindness worldwide.
There are two take home messages this year:
Screen Smart, Vision Strong: Promoting healthy screen and near-work habits, having daily outdoor time and using screen time reduction tools on smart phones and electronic devices.
Check In for Clear Vision: Regular eye exams are the best strategy for early detection and effective management of myopia.
We hope to spread the message that children who don’t spend enough time outdoors are at greater risk of developing myopia, which can progress to irreversible vision loss.