Mole generation: more and more myopic children in Luxembourg

We all live in a world where we can hardly do anything without a smartphone. In fact, we hardly see anyone in public walking their dog, waiting for a bus or walking from one store to another, sitting in the doctor’s waiting room or on the train, without having the eyes glued to his cell phone.

This behavior is also very common among children and adolescents. Instead of exercising outside in open air, they prefer to sit in closed rooms and deal with their smartphones. One would be tempted to think that it is a shame that we are all so little aware of the environment around us. But studies now show that this behavior can also have consequences on visual health: more and more people are becoming myopic.

One in three children already affected

By 2050, almost half of the world’s population is expected to be affected by myopia, including increasing numbers of children. This is the result of the study by a team of Chinese researchers published in September 2024 in the specialized journal British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Yajun Chen’s team from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou analyzed studies and government reports from 50 countries around the world with data on more than 5.4 million children and young people aged 5 to 19 years old. Of these, more than 1.9 million were myopic.

“Currently, a third of children and adolescents suffer from myopia,” explains Dr Carla Schmartz of the Société Luxembourgeoise d’Ophthalmologie. According to projections, four out of ten children will suffer from myopia by 2050. “We can then already speak of a scourge.”

In the case of axial myopia, the eye grows too long, causing the image to focus not on the retina, but in front. “Normally, the eye stops growing around ten or twelve years of age, but as living conditions have changed, the eye continues to grow,” says Dr. Schmartz.

In addition to genetic causes, there are above all two major risk factors, according to Carla Schmartz: Close vision and lack of natural light. During near vision activity, it is in principle indifferent for the eye whether to read a book or watch something on the mobile phone.

“But of course, the cell phone has a much greater potential for attraction and we can spend hours on it more easily than with a book,” she continues. In children, it starts very early and does not stop until adulthood. The lack of natural light goes hand in hand with increased time spent on cell phones and staying in closed spaces.

Contact lenses for the night

The doctor recommends taking stock of your own behavior. “You should try to expose yourself to natural light for two hours a day.” Furthermore, it would be very wise to proceed according to the 20-20 rule. It is therefore recommended to look into the distance for 20 seconds after 20 minutes of reading or learning. “It allows the eye to relax.” Additionally, many young people also hold their cell phones very close to their face. “Some could almost walk into the screen,” she says with a laugh.

If myopia is already present, it is very important to detect it as quickly as possible. “The earlier myopia is detected, the more it can be compensated for with visual aid and the more we can try to slow it down,” she explains. Myopia often develops from the age of six or seven and then progresses into adolescence.

To minimize the progression of myopia, there are different approaches, such as defocusing lenses. These are special lenses which, being peripherally undercorrected, produce an optical correction on a physical basis. Another possibility is orthokeratology. In this case, special contact lenses, worn overnight, could temporarily reform the cornea of ​​the eye.

“However, the feasibility of this method must always be evaluated, especially in children. The daily fitting of contact lenses, hygiene, all of this must be taken into account,” recognizes the ophthalmologist. Another option is very low-dose atropine eye drops, which have been shown to slow the progression of myopia in children.

The treatment and approach always depends on the patient. The risk/benefit ratio must be assessed for each individual based on their age, health and lifestyle, Dr. Schmartz said. It is important to know that myopia, once it appears, cannot be cured.

The importance of early detection

Additionally, myopia increases the risk of certain eye diseases. “This is because the eye, when it grows, is longer than the average eye. At the back of the eye is a layer that gets thinner over time due to growth. This can quickly lead to retinal tears or retinal detachment.” Flashes, numerous black spots or a dark shadow that you cannot see through are symptoms of a retinal detachment.

The risk of developing glaucoma or cataracts is also higher with myopia. This is why it is important to regularly consult an ophthalmologist in order to detect and treat potential diseases in time, experts advise. “With children, you should certainly have an eye check once before starting school and, otherwise, undergo routine checks,” emphasizes Carla Schmartz. Otherwise, academic performance, for example, could suffer due to the child’s poor eyesight.

For Dr Schmartz, the social consequences linked to the increase in myopia are more of a problem in developing countries. “Here, we all have access to appointments with the ophthalmologist, treatments, spectacle lenses or contact lenses. We can treat complications. Where this is not the case, it could become problematic.”

However, there are fewer cases of myopia in developing countries than in Southeast Asia, for example. “There, 80 to 90% of people are myopic in urban regions,” continues the ophthalmologist. The level of education is also a reason: “The more educated you are, that is to say the more you have read and studied, the higher the risk of axial myopia.”

Due to the possibility of heredity, it is not always possible to prevent myopia in children. “But where we can really take action is by exercising outside, in the open air.” Adults should watch out for this in children. This would ultimately be in line with other health promotion measures, such as preventing obesity through physical activity. Looking at your cell phone less and exercising outside is therefore in any case a good strategy to limit the risk of becoming myopic.

This article taken from TV screen number 47/2024 was initially published on the website of the Luxembourg word.

Adaptation: Megane Kambala