Children have evolved and with them their ways of tactfully getting things in a much easier way. A major health hazard being faced by a majority of children is eye diseases due to more screen time. Say it spending long hours on mobile phones, laptops, computers and TV.
Myopia, or near-sightedness, is emerging as a significant public health concern in India. Recent studies indicate a concerning rise in its prevalence among children and adolescents. Furthermore, projections suggest that the prevalence of myopia in urban Indian children aged 5–15 years will escalate from 21.15 per cent in 2019 to 48.14 per cent by 2050.
Studies say that children with vision impairment are 2-5 times less likely to attend school, and also miss out on social interactions. The need of the hour is collective action to make eyecare services affordable and accessible - besides, creating awareness about the ways to promote vision health.

Causes

Myopia is also known as nearsightedness and is a common vision condition. It is a condition where children see nearby objects clearly but distant objects appear blurry. Children between ages 6 and 14 are mostly affected and the condition tends to worsen as the child grows.
Myopia in children can be due to genetic conditions also known as parental myopia, less hyperopic refraction, environmental factors etc. The most notable one is due to over screen time. Myopia can also lead to retinal detachment and glaucoma later in life.

Symptoms

Blurry vision, squeezing eyes to see clearly, frequent headaches and constant rubbing or blinking of eyes are some of the signs of myopia.

Treatment

Treatment focuses on correcting vision with glasses or contact lenses and actively managing progression through lifestyle changes and in some cases medical treatments like low-dose atropine eye drops. Increasing outdoor activity has shown to help slow the progression of myopia in children. Regular eye checkups are critical to monitor changes and adjust treatment as necessary.

When to screen for myopia

Children should go in for screening starting from 6 to 12 months. Comprehensive eye screening should be conducted to establish a baseline and detect early signs. Newborns are advised to check for red reflex, pupil response and basic eye health during the first paediatric visit.

Prevention

Less screen time, outdoor play in sunlight, reading in ample light, and holding books at the right angle are some ways that the onset of myopia can be slowed. 

Challenges in early screening

Increased prevalence in urban vs. rural areas: In India, estimates for myopia prevalence range from about 7 per cent to 20 per cent in children, with recent studies observing around 4 per cent prevalence among schoolchildren in Bengaluru. Urban children experience higher rates than their rural counterparts, attributed to environmental factors such as more time spent on near-work activities indoors and limited outdoor exposure.

Rural areas often lack the infrastructure and resources for regular eye examinations and screenings. This can lead to delays in detection and treatment of myopia, resulting in higher risks of progression and complications.
Lower awareness among parents and communities in rural areas regarding the importance of early eye care and the signs of myopia.
Regular monitoring of myopia progression is crucial, yet rural settings may have fewer healthcare providers equipped to conduct such assessments.

Use of AI

Emerging treatments and research in myopia management are focused on better ways to slow progression in children, combining innovative technologies with new pharmacological and optical approaches.
Treatment options include improved atropine formulations. Low-dose atropine (typically 0.01–0.05 per cent) has shown effectiveness in slowing myopia progression with minimal side effects.
Other treatment options include combination therapy, visual environment modifications and smart glasses, AI monitoring, blue light filtering and screen management tools.

Outlook

Parents and teachers should look out for these signs among children and consult an ophthalmologist immediately, if they observe any of these among their children or pupils. Early detection results in better management and outcomes.
Keeping children away from screen time, regular eye check-ups can prevent the outcome of myopia.