A concerning trend has emerged among Generation Z, signaling a potential “blindness epidemic” linked to excessive screen time and insufficient exposure to natural sunlight. [Source]
Experts are raising alarms about the drastic increase in myopia, or near-sightedness, which has skyrocketed across the globe, with a 46% increase in the UK over the last three decades and a staggering 59% spike among American teenagers.
Dr. Joern Jorgensen, a world-renowned eye surgeon at the Laser Eye Clinic London, stressed the severity of the situation, attributing the rise in myopia to two main factors: the lack of outdoor activity and the excessive use of electronic devices. [Source]
“During a critical time of their lives, they are not getting natural sunlight, and that in turn is causing a very noticeable rise in myopia. It is alarming, and what we are seeing is an epidemic,” Jorgensen explained to the Daily Mail.
The implications of this trend extend far beyond the need for glasses. Serious cases of myopia significantly increase the risk of developing other vision-threatening conditions, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.
The financial burden of treating these conditions is immense, with Dr. Jorgensen noting, “Treating AMD (age-related macular degeneration) is one of the biggest costs facing the NHS, it is a great drain on resources.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, with lockdowns and social distancing measures keeping children indoors and glued to their screens. [Source]
Studies have found a strong link between time spent outdoors and a lower risk of developing myopia, suggesting that natural light and physical activity play crucial roles in eye health.
The Global Myopia Awareness Coalition and Myopia Focus have called for increased awareness and funding to address this growing public health issue.
Optometrist Jason Higginbotham, who initiated a petition for more NHS funding, emphasized the urgency of the matter: “Due to changes in lifestyle, an increasing number of people are at a higher risk of developing sight-threatening conditions linked to myopia. This should no longer be considered a potential threat; it is very real.”
As the rate of myopia continues to climb, experts urge parents and educators to limit screen time for children and encourage outdoor activities.
“They need to play with real toys,” advises Dr. Maria Liu, an associate professor of clinical optometry at The University of California, Berkeley. “They need to engage in real outdoor life.” [Source]
The digital age has brought with it a vision crisis that demands immediate attention.