Globally, children’s eyesight is steadily getting worse with every one kid in three now being short-sighted or unable to see things at a distance clearly, a new analysis shows. The trend has become more prevalent after the COVID-19&nbsp;pandemic.&nbsp;

Short-sightedness or myopia is the new growing health concern in the world which is set to affect millions of children by 2050, the study warns. As children started spending more time on screen and less time outdoors during the pandemic, due to the COVID-19-related lockdowns affected their eyesight adversely.

The highest rates are in Asia – 85 per cent of children in Japan and 73 per cent in South Korea are short-sighted with more than 40 per cent affected in China and Russia.

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The study was published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology and researched on more than five million children and teenagers from 50 countries across all six continents.&nbsp;

Paraguay and Uganda, at about one&nbsp;per cent, had some of the lowest levels of myopia, with the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States all about 15 per cent.

The report revealed that short-sightedness tripled between 1990 and 2023 - rising to 36 per cent, and the reason was “particularly notable” after the pandemic, the researchers reiterated.

Watch |&nbsp;Can excessive use of smartphones lead to loss of vision?

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Usually, myopia starts during primary school years and tends to worsen until the eye has stopped growing, at about 20 years of age.&nbsp;

Genetics play a role in the health of eyesight but other factors like living in East Asia also make myopia more likely to happen, the report said. The argument is that young people are spending more time focusing on books and screens with their eyes during their early years in places like Singapore and Hong Kong. This causes strain in the eye muscles and can lead to myopia, research suggests.

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Apart from all these reasons, the pandemic and lockdowns remain the top reasons for a hit on children’s eyesight.

"Emerging evidence suggests a potential association between the pandemic and accelerated vision deterioration among young adults," the researchers wrote.

By 2050, the condition could affect more than half of teens worldwide, the research predicts.

<h2>Young girls more prone to weak eyesight</h2>

Girls and young women are more likely to have weak eyesight than boys and young men because they tend to spend less time doing outdoor activities at school and at home as they grow up, the study suggests.

Girls' growth and development, including puberty, starts earlier which means they tend to experience short-sightedness at an earlier age too.

It is advised that children should spend at least two hours outside every day, particularly between the ages of seven and nine, to reduce their chances of being short-sighted.

(With inputs from agencies)

Globally, children’s eyesight is steadily getting worse with every one kid in three now being short-sighted or unable to see things at a distance clearly, a new analysis shows.

Globally, children’s eyesight is steadily getting worse with every one kid in three now being short-sighted or unable to see things at a distance clearly, a new analysis shows. The trend has become more prevalent after the COVID-19 pandemic. Short-sightedness or myopia is the new growing health concern in the world which is set to affect millions of children by 2050, the study warns. As children started spending more time on screen and less time outdoors during the pandemic, due to the COVID-19-related lockdowns affected their eyesight adversely. The highest rates are in Asia – 85 per cent of children in Japan and 73 per cent in South Korea are short-sighted with more than 40 per cent affected in China and Russia. Also Read | Severe depression acts out differently in the brains of youth as compared to adults The study was published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology and researched on more than five million children and teenagers from 50 countries across all six continents. Paraguay and Uganda, at about one per cent, had some of the lowest levels of myopia, with the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States all about 15 per cent. The report revealed that short-sightedness tripled between 1990 and 2023 - rising to 36 per cent, and the reason was “particularly notable” after the pandemic, the researchers reiterated. Watch | Can excessive use of smartphones lead to loss of vision? × Usually, myopia starts during primary school years and tends to worsen until the eye has stopped growing, at about 20 years of age. Genetics play a role in the health of eyesight but other factors like living in East Asia also make myopia more likely to happen, the report said. The argument is that young people are spending more time focusing on books and screens with their eyes during their early years in places like Singapore and Hong Kong. This causes strain in the eye muscles and can lead to myopia, research suggests. Also Read | If you think humans have five senses, you’re wrong Apart from all these reasons, the pandemic and lockdowns remain the top reasons for a hit on children’s eyesight. "Emerging evidence suggests a potential association between the pandemic and accelerated vision deterioration among young adults," the researchers wrote. By 2050, the condition could affect more than half of teens worldwide, the research predicts. Young girls more prone to weak eyesight Girls and young women are more likely to have weak eyesight than boys and young men because they tend to spend less time doing outdoor activities at school and at home as they grow up, the study suggests. Girls' growth and development, including puberty, starts earlier which means they tend to experience short-sightedness at an earlier age too. It is advised that children should spend at least two hours outside every day, particularly between the ages of seven and nine, to reduce their chances of being short-sighted. (With inputs from agencies)

One in three children now affected by myopia, Covid lockdowns impacted kids' vision the most: Study

Aren’t we all a little guilty of sharing our screens with kids at home, the moment they start pressuring us to play with them when we have truckloads of work to finish, or an assignment to submit, or dishes to wash? Well, reports now suggest that constant screen time that kids are exposed to, is causing myopia among children.&nbsp;

We got in touch with several experts in this field to share their experiences and to understand how to prevent myopia in children that are today surrounded with technology at homes, schools and everywhere they go.

Here's what they have to say:

Dr. Neha Naiksatam, Consultant Pediatrician, Apollo Clinic in Koramangala said, “Many children are suffering from increasing rates of myopia due to the way they live in the present-day world. For instance, contemporary kids spend much of their time behind screens, which has led to the increased prevalence of short-sightedness among them. Also, most kids these days do not have time to play outside, so they don’t benefit from the natural sunlight which is required for good eyesight.”

Dr. Sweta Patel, Ophthalmologist, Aster Whitefield in Bangalore added, “Many factors play role in myopia among children like genetics, lack of exposure to natural light, limited outdoor activity, more digital screen time, prolonged near vision tasks. While genetics play a key role, environmental factors like spending less time outdoors and more time focused on near tasks like reading and excessive screen time are believed to be significant contributors. Exposure to blue light emitted from these devices might also be a risk factor.”

She added that kids are surrounded with technology these days but it would be ideal for kids with age less than two years to have no screen time. She said, “Exposure to natural light stimulates the release of dopamine in the retina, which may help inhibit the elongation of the eyeball associated with myopia. Creating opportunities for outdoor exploration, sports, and nature walks will foster a balanced lifestyle that supports healthy vision development.”

Dr. Neha agreed that parental control over technology and screens of all kinds is super important. “Parents should only allow an hour of combined screening – such as on television sets, mobile phones, laptops, and iPads among others. Also, playing outdoors should be given a top preference. Make playing outdoors a part of their normal routine so that kids can play in the sun. Exposure to sun aids in controlling the size of eyeballs. It also interferes with the development of short-sightedness.”

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Dr. Sweta added, “Limit the screen time and ensure the child gets frequent breaks while watching a screen. Follow the 20-20-20 rule, where a child takes breaks every 20 minutes to focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This can help relax eye muscles during screen time.”

Aren’t we all a little guilty of sharing our screens with kids at home, the moment they start pressuring us to play with them when we have truckloads of work to finish, or an assignment to submit, or dishes to wash?

Aren’t we all a little guilty of sharing our screens with kids at home, the moment they start pressuring us to play with them when we have truckloads of work to finish, or an assignment to submit, or dishes to wash? Well, reports now suggest that constant screen time that kids are exposed to, is causing myopia among children. We got in touch with several experts in this field to share their experiences and to understand how to prevent myopia in children that are today surrounded with technology at homes, schools and everywhere they go. Here's what they have to say: Dr. Neha Naiksatam, Consultant Pediatrician, Apollo Clinic in Koramangala said, “Many children are suffering from increasing rates of myopia due to the way they live in the present-day world. For instance, contemporary kids spend much of their time behind screens, which has led to the increased prevalence of short-sightedness among them. Also, most kids these days do not have time to play outside, so they don’t benefit from the natural sunlight which is required for good eyesight.” Dr. Sweta Patel, Ophthalmologist, Aster Whitefield in Bangalore added, “Many factors play role in myopia among children like genetics, lack of exposure to natural light, limited outdoor activity, more digital screen time, prolonged near vision tasks. While genetics play a key role, environmental factors like spending less time outdoors and more time focused on near tasks like reading and excessive screen time are believed to be significant contributors. Exposure to blue light emitted from these devices might also be a risk factor.” She added that kids are surrounded with technology these days but it would be ideal for kids with age less than two years to have no screen time. She said, “Exposure to natural light stimulates the release of dopamine in the retina, which may help inhibit the elongation of the eyeball associated with myopia. Creating opportunities for outdoor exploration, sports, and nature walks will foster a balanced lifestyle that supports healthy vision development.” Dr. Neha agreed that parental control over technology and screens of all kinds is super important. “Parents should only allow an hour of combined screening – such as on television sets, mobile phones, laptops, and iPads among others. Also, playing outdoors should be given a top preference. Make playing outdoors a part of their normal routine so that kids can play in the sun. Exposure to sun aids in controlling the size of eyeballs. It also interferes with the development of short-sightedness.” Also read: Exclusive: Kartik Aaryan's fitness trainer Tridev Pandey on training actor for Chandu Champion Dr. Sweta added, “Limit the screen time and ensure the child gets frequent breaks while watching a screen. Follow the 20-20-20 rule, where a child takes breaks every 20 minutes to focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This can help relax eye muscles during screen time.”

Myopia in children: Tackling vision issues with suggestions by experts

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One in three children now affected by myopia, Covid lockdowns impacted kids' vision the most: Study

Myopia in children: Tackling vision issues with suggestions by experts