Would it be nearsighted of us to assume you can’t prevent nearsightedness?
Most people, at some point in their life, will experience some degree of myopia, the clinical term for nearsightedness, in which a person can easily see up close but have difficulty seeing what’s far away. Items that are 20 or 40 feet away can appear blurry, but they become clear once the viewer gets closer to them. This condition can cause headaches, eyestrain, and even fatigue.
About 40 percent of the American population, representing people of all age groups, has myopia, and research shows that when a person develops nearsightedness—and the degree to which they do—is based mainly on genetics. Some people begin to develop it in childhood, though most people will not experience nearsightedness until they are well into adulthood.
The thing is, myopia is becoming more common, and it’s predicted to become increasingly so as the years ago by. Boston Children’s Hospital predicts that more than 50 percent of the world’s population will be nearsighted by 2050. This increasing prevalence is enough that that American Academy of Ophthalmology has deemed it an epidemic.
So, if the increasing prevalence of myopia can be prevented, does this mean people can take steps to protect their eyesight? Doctors say you likely won’t be able to avoid your genetic predisposition to myopia completely, but you can take steps to maintain full eye health for as long as possible.
Sunlight over screentime
Reducing screen time and getting plenty of time outside in natural light on a daily basis can help—just make sure you’re protecting your eyes from direct sunlight by wearing sunglasses.
Give your eyes a break
You can also offset the effects of doing any work that requires close sight, such as drawing or reading, by following the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look up from what you’re doing and stare at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Good nutrition for eye health
You might’ve heard that carrots are good for your eyes—that’s because orange foods, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, or bell peppers are rich in vitamin A, which boosts eye health. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish like salmon and tuna, could prevent eye deterioration. And the mineral zinc can repair your eyes from the damaging effects of light, so be sure to get plenty of beans, poultry, tofu, and fortified grain products.
Don’t underestimate early intervention
When myopia in children is detected early, that child’s eyesight can be protected through the right monitoring and intervention. Babies should have their first comprehensive eye exam between 6 months and 1 year, and their second between ages 3 and 5. After children begin grade school, they should have their eyes examined once a year.
