How the COVID-19 Lockdown Changed Children's Eyesight
Now that most children are back to doing schoolwork, make sure they are prepared to get A+ report cards all semester with a clear and comfortable vision. As screen time significantly increases for children during the COVID-19 pandemic, vision issues are becoming more prevalent as a result of virtual learning. An international study of more than 120,000 children ages six to eight found nearsightedness cases increased up to three times during the pandemic compared with the previous five years.
We recommend asking your children if they are having any difficulty reading up close or far away, and to have them evaluated routinely as many symptoms go unnoticed. Many parents don’t know that their children could have a visual disorder that may be affecting their schoolwork and extracurricular activities.
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe in 2020, it brought with it a host of unprecedented challenges and changes to daily life. One of the most significant changes was the widespread implementation of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, which disrupted routines and led to a significant increase in screen time for many people, including children.
According to recent studies, this increase in screen time may have contributed to a dramatic increase in cases of nearsightedness, or myopia, among children. Nearsightedness is a common vision condition in which distant objects appear blurry, while objects that are close up are clearer. It is typically caused by a lengthening of the eyeball or a change in the shape of the cornea, and it can be corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery.
While the exact cause of nearsightedness is not fully understood, research has suggested that it may be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. One theory is that nearsightedness may be more likely to develop in people who spend a lot of time engaging in activities that require close-up visual focus, such as reading or using computers.
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns provided the perfect conditions for this type of close-up visual focus to thrive, as many people, including children, spent more time than ever before looking at screens for work, school, and entertainment. According to some estimates, screen time among children may have increased by as much as three times during this time. This is a worrying trend, as myopia can have serious long-term consequences, including an increased risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts.
It is important for parents to be aware of the potential risks associated with increased screen time, and to take steps to minimize the amount of time their children spend looking at screens. This may include setting limits on screen time, encouraging outdoor activities, and making sure children take regular breaks to rest their eyes. If you are concerned about your child's eyesight or suspect that they may be developing nearsightedness, it is important to speak with an eye doctor for a proper evaluation.
Likewise, all adults near age 40 will experience presbyopia which results in blurry near vision and requires correction with reading glasses. If you are struggling with eye strain, consider trying or updating your progressive lenses. Most importantly, get regular eye exams so your doctor can find potential problems before they become serious.
