Childhood Myopia

Everything About Childhood Myopia.

PREVALENCE OF MYOPIA IN SINGAPORE
Myopia is the top visual impairment among Singaporeans. Roughly 28% of Primary 1 and about 65% of Primary 6 students are diagnosed with myopia. However, the percentage had remained stable for the past decade. There are more children now with myopia than there was in the past, as children compete in a highly educated society, with many investing most of their time in making education their top priority, along with the increased availability of electronic devices and smartphones.

SO WHAT IS MYOPIA? (short-sightedness)
Myopia is a condition of an elongated eyeball, causing distant objects to be incorrectly focused in front of the retina, thereby resulting in blurred vision. Myopia progresses as the eyeball grows and can occur as infant as juvenile years. There’s a need for early detection and treatment.

High degree of myopia comes with the risk of a higher probability of early-onset cataract, glaucoma and retinal detachment in adulthood, which may give rise to severe damage and possibly leading to total loss of vision.

CAUSES:
Genetics. Children with parental history of myopia were found to be more likely to develop myopia. Studies have revealed that 18.2% in children with one myopic parent and 32.9% in children whose both parents are myopic, are prone to develop myopia early. (Mutti DO et al., 2002)
Environmental factors also play a role, as in 2008, researchers assessed the relationship of indoor and outdoor activities with the prevalence of myopia in children and the assessment revealed that higher levels of outdoor activities with UV exposure correlates to lower myopia prevalence. (Kathryn A.Rose et.al, 2008)
SYMPTOMS
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