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In today’s digital world, screens are everywhere—classrooms, homes, and even playtime. While technology offers incredible learning opportunities, it also comes with hidden risks for children’s vision. One of the most concerning is the rising prevalence of myopia (nearsightedness), and research increasingly points to increased screen time as a contributing factor. What Is Myopia? Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This makes distant objects appear blurry while close-up vision remains clear. Myopia typically develops in childhood and progresses into the teenage years. If left unchecked, it can increase the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. How Screen Time Contributes to Myopia Extended screen use affects children’s eyes in several ways: Prolonged near work: Staring at tablets, phones, or computers for long stretches puts extra strain on the eye’s focusing system. Reduced blinking: Kids tend to blink less when using screens, leading to eye strain and dryness, which can worsen visual fatigue. Less outdoor time: Time spent indoors on screens often replaces outdoor play. Exposure to natural daylight has been shown to slow myopia progression, so this lack of outdoor time plays a major role. Alarming Trends in Childhood Myopia Studies show that rates of myopia have doubled in the past 50 years, and experts warn that by 2050, nearly half of the global population may be nearsighted. In children, the shift is happening earlier and progressing more quickly, which raises concerns for long-term eye health. Tips for Parents to Protect Children’s Eyes While screens are here to stay, there are steps parents can take to reduce the risk: Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, encourage your child to look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Prioritize outdoor play: Aim for at least 1–2 hours of outdoor activity per day. Natural light helps regulate eye growth. Limit recreational screen time: Especially before bedtime, when blue light exposure can also disrupt sleep. Schedule regular eye exams: Early detection is key. An optometrist can monitor your child’s vision and recommend treatment options if needed. Myopia Management Options If your child is already showing signs of myopia, there are treatment strategies that can slow its progression. These include specially designed glasses, contact lenses, and even therapeutic eye drops. Early intervention makes a big difference in protecting long-term vision. ✅ At Eyeworks, we specialize in children’s vision and myopia management. If you’ve noticed your child squinting, sitting too close to the TV, or struggling with distance vision, it may be time for an eye exam. 👉 Call us today at 361-993-5882 or visit www.eyeworkscc.com to schedule your child’s appointment.

Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition where objects up close appear clear, but those far away look blurry. This occurs because the eye grows too long from front to back, or the cornea becomes too curved. As a result, light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it, causing distance vision to blur. Why Does Myopia Matter? At first glance, myopia might seem like a simple inconvenience, easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses. However, it’s much more than just needing stronger prescriptions. Myopia is a progressive condition, and higher levels significantly increase the risk of serious eye diseases later in life, including retinal detachments, glaucoma, early cataracts, and myopic macular degeneration — conditions that can lead to permanent vision loss. Why Is Myopia on the Rise? Over the past few decades, myopia has become alarmingly more common. In fact, it’s estimated that by 2050, nearly half of the world’s population will be myopic. Several key factors are contributing to this rapid rise: Increased Near Work: Children today spend significantly more time on near-focused activities like reading, studying, and, more recently, using digital devices. Prolonged screen time and limited breaks reduce opportunities for the eyes to relax and focus at a distance. Less Time Outdoors: Numerous studies show that spending time outdoors plays a protective role against myopia development. Natural light exposure and viewing objects at varying distances seem to slow the progression of nearsightedness. Unfortunately, children now spend less time outside than previous generations. Genetic Influence: While lifestyle factors play a huge role, genetics cannot be overlooked. If one or both parents are myopic, the risk of a child developing myopia increases. However, environment and habits often determine how quickly and severely it progresses. The Impact on Children The concern with childhood myopia isn’t just blurry vision today; it’s the cumulative effect of progression over time. A child diagnosed at age 7 could see their prescription worsen every year without intervention, leading to high myopia by their teenage years. Higher levels of myopia correlate with greater long-term eye health risks. How We Can Help Fortunately, myopia management is a growing area of eye care, offering treatments that can slow or even halt progression. Options include: Specialty Contact Lenses (such as Ortho-K or MiSight) Prescription Eye Drops (like low-dose atropine) Lifestyle Modifications, encouraging more outdoor activity and screen breaks At Eyeworks, we are dedicated to protecting your child’s future vision through comprehensive myopia screenings and tailored management plans. Concerned About Your Child’s Vision? Schedule a myopia consultation today to learn how we can help safeguard their sight for years to come. 361-993-5882 www.eyeworkscc.com

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