Latest news with #myopia
CNET
7 days ago
- Health
- CNET
10 Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy As You Age
Summer has arrived, bringing sunny days and a higher danger from UV rays than any other time of year. You might be used to slathering on sunscreen to protect your skin, but have you been protecting your eyes as well? We only get one pair of eyes, but protecting them isn't always top of mind for many of us. From overuse, to UV rays, our eyes are at risk of damage everyday. Thankfully, there are plenty of easy ways to keep them healthy. 1. Wear sunglasses to block UV light Exposing your eyes to ultraviolet rays may cause damage over time. Wearing sunglasses can block harmful UV light, lowering your risk of eye diseases like cataracts, sunburn, eye cancer and growths around the eye, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Polarized glasses with smoke or gray lenses may offer the best protection against the sun's rays and reduce glare. Read more: Best Prescription Sunglasses 2. Take screen breaks every 20 minutes Prolonged screen time can cause dry eyes, pain in the neck and shoulders, blurred vision, headaches and digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome. The American Optometric Association recommends using the 20-20-20 rule to prevent computer vision syndrome. Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 3. Take book breaks, too Screen time isn't the only way to strain your eyes. When you read a book, you probably hold it up close for long periods. Both activities can lead to nearsightedness, or myopia, which means faraway objects are blurry, while up-close objects are clear. Just like you should use the 20-20-20 rule to take screen breaks, you should also use this rule for book breaks. If you find yourself engrossed in what you're reading or doing on the computer, set an alarm so you don't miss your breaks.4. Move your body for both overall and eye health Regular exercise can provide eye health benefits, such as promoting healthy blood vessels and lowering your risk of developing glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reports. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week, plus two days of strength training for your muscles. You can also practice eye exercises to reduce tension and eye strain while sitting at your desk. Read more: 7 Fitness Hacks to Sneak in Exercise Painlessly Every Day 5. Get outside as much as possible Children and adults need to get outside often, even if they get their recommended exercise indoors. Research shows that children who spend time outdoors have a lower risk of developing nearsightedness in adolescence and as adults. Playing with your kids at the local playground, walking through the woods or even playing in the backyard can help the whole family stay healthy and active. Be sure to use your sunglasses. 6. Quit smoking It's well known that smoking is bad for your health. It can also increase your risk of developing eye diseases like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Smokers have a two- or three-times higher chance of developing cataracts and up to four times higher risk for AMD. Future research may determine if smoking cigarettes can also cause glaucoma, Graves' eye disease, thyroid eye disease and encourage diabetic retinopathy onset or progression. To improve your health, build a quit plan. Getty Images 7. Eat balanced meals rich in vitamins The foods you eat every day can improve your eye health. Eating foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc can help cellular growth, lower eye tissue inflammation and limit free radicals that can damage your eyes. To get the right nutrients for your eyes, eat balanced meals by including some of these foods in your regular diet, as recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology: Vitamin A and beta-carotene: Apricots, carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, red pepper, ricotta cheese, mango Apricots, carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, red pepper, ricotta cheese, mango Vitamin C: Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, tangerines, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, red bell pepper Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, tangerines, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, red bell pepper Vitamin E: Avocados, almonds, peanut butter, wheat germ, sunflower seeds Avocados, almonds, peanut butter, wheat germ, sunflower seeds Omega-3: Halibut, sardines, salmon, tuna, trout Halibut, sardines, salmon, tuna, trout Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Collards, broccoli, eggs, peas, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, turnip greens Collards, broccoli, eggs, peas, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, turnip greens Zinc: Lima beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, lean red meats, oysters, fortified cereals, poultry Read more: Best Vitamins and Supplements for Eye Health 8. Avoid rubbing your eyes Habitually rubbing your eyes could cause eye damage or infections. Dry eyes and eye strain can make you want to rub your eyes, and some may rub them too much or too hard. This can lead to issues such as reduced or blurry vision, headaches, inflammation and eye and light sensitivity. Another reason to avoid eye rubbing is that bacteria or viruses on your fingers or hands could lead to conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye. Instead of rubbing your eyes, use eye drops or saline to clean your eyes and keep them moist. Resist the urge and find something else to keep your hands busy until you undo the habit. 9. Wash your hands before touching your face or eyes You should always wash your hands before touching your face or eyes and handling contact lenses. Almost 45 million Americans wear contact lenses, and around one in three wearers develop complications, with one in five infections from contact lenses causing corneal damage. Plus, there's no telling what kinds of germs might have already contaminated an object you've touched. Washing your hands regularly can lower your risk of respiratory illness by up to 20% and diarrheal illness by up to 30%, the CDC reports. 10. Take off your makeup at the end of the day After a long day, the last thing you might think about is removing your eye makeup before you get into bed. Doing so benefits your eye health and can lower your risk of blepharitis or eyelid inflammation, according to the Optometrists Network. You should also adopt good makeup practices that can save your skin and eyes, such as only using products made for eyes, replacing your makeup often (especially after an eye infection), not applying eye makeup in the inner lids and never sharing eye makeup. If you use brushes or sponges to apply eye makeup, wash them regularly.
Free Malaysia Today
10-05-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Rising myopia in children: experts urge preventive measures
The shift to online learning during the pandemic has resulted in prolonged screen time, a primary factor affecting children's eye health. (Envato Elements pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The prevalence of myopia, or nearsightedness, among children is a growing concern worldwide, including in Malaysia. According to the World Health Organization, cases have surged significantly, particularly after the pandemic. The global health authority predicts that by 2050, half of the global population will have myopia, with 10% of them at risk of developing high myopia. The latter condition can lead to serious complications, including glaucoma, retinal detachment, and permanent vision impairment. The shift to online learning during the pandemic – a trend that continues today – has resulted in prolonged screen time for children. Beyond education, many also engage with digital devices for entertainment. Ophthalmology specialist Dr Pall Singh said countries such as China, Japan, and Singapore report myopia rates exceeding 80% among teenagers. He warned that Malaysia is on a similar trajectory unless preventive measures are implemented. Citing current data, Pall noted a significant rise in myopia prevalence among children, increasing from 9.8% at age seven to 34.4% by age 15. The expert in vitreoretinal, medical retina, neuro-ophthalmology and orbit disorders said the rise in myopia among Malaysian children is driven by several key factors, including genetics and lifestyle habits. Dr Pall Singh. 'One of the main factors affecting children's eye health is the widespread use of digital devices. Children now spend more time in front of smartphones, tablets and computers, whether for schoolwork or entertainment. 'When children spend too much time in front of screens, their eyes are exposed to blue light, which emits short wavelengths that can cause eye strain. Over time, this contributes to the progression of myopia,' he told Bernama. Pall noted that long hours of studying in school, especially in an education system that prioritises academic achievement, require children to spend extended periods reading, writing, and focusing on near objects – further increasing their risk of myopia. 'In Malaysia, the packed school schedule – including extra classes, tuition, and continuous homework assignments – indirectly reduces children's opportunities to take breaks from near-work tasks and receive natural light exposure, increasing their risk of developing myopia,' he said. Eye strain caused by prolonged screen use is worsened by the fact that children often do not follow proper rest routines. According to Pall, children tend to ignore early signs of strain, such as watery or irritated eyes, which can lead to nearsightedness. Regular checkups with optometrists is crucial to prevent children from facing more significant vision difficulties in the future. (Envato Elements pic) As such, it is important for parents and educators to be attentive to early signs of myopia, as early detection is key to preventing more severe vision problems in the future. 'Left unaddressed, nearsightedness can negatively impact a child's academic performance and daily life, as they may struggle to see the whiteboard or engage in outdoor activities freely,' he added. 'Every child should undergoes regular eye checkups at optometry clinics to detect myopia at an early stage.' Natural light, outdoor activities Meanwhile, Mohd Mursyid Arshad, director of the Co-Curriculum and Student Development Centre at Universiti Putra Malaysia, pointed out that the lack of exposure to natural light and outdoor activities also contributes to the development of myopia. He said research has shown that children who spend more time outdoors have a lower risk of myopia compared with those who spend more time indoors. This is because natural light signals the eyes to develop in a healthier way, stimulating the retina to developed in a more structured manner. Mohd Mursyid Arshad. 'As such, children who receive less natural light, especially at a young age, are more likely to develop myopia,' Mursyid stressed. He also highlighted that outdoor activities provide other benefits such as improving children's physical and mental health. Playing outdoors helps enhance motor coordination and social development, which positively impact overall growth. Educational institutions, therefore, have to play an active role in helping children reduce myopia risk by paying attention to the learning environment. Potential measures include ensuring classrooms have adequate lighting, and reducing reliance on digital devices for learning. Pall agreed, saying exposure to natural light for at least two hours daily can reduce myopia risk by 30-50%, as outdoor light is significantly brighter (10,000–100,000 lux) compared to classroom lighting (only about 500 lux). He also recommends that national education policies incorporate vision health into the curriculum, and enhance collaboration between schools and parents to help reduce screen time at home.
