Myopia is on the rise worldwide at a rate that is causing concern amongst ophthalmologists: it is estimated that by 2050, half the world\u2019s population will be short-sighted. However, research in recent years has confirmed a protective factor that is as powerful as it is accessible: natural light. Every hour of outdoor play counts, and summer is the perfect time to start.<\/p>\n
Why natural light offers protection<\/strong><\/p>\n More and more paediatric ophthalmologists are \u2018prescribing\u2019 that their patients spend more time outdoors, because studies show that children who play outside for longer periods are less likely to develop short-sightedness and, if they are already short-sighted, their condition progresses more slowly. The intensity of natural light \u2014 dozens of times greater than that found indoors \u2014 stimulates mechanisms in the retina that regulate the growth of the eye, slowing down the excessive elongation that causes myopia.<\/p>\n The general recommendation is for at least 90 minutes to 2 hours of outdoor activity every day, always with adequate sun protection: a cap and approved sunglasses.<\/p>\n The other side of the coin: close-up work<\/strong><\/p>\n Excessive hours spent on near vision\u2014screens, but also reading and homework at a distance of less than 30 cm\u2014are associated with a faster progression of myopia. It is not a question of banning these activities, but of striking a balance: alternating close-up tasks with visual breaks, maintaining a good reading distance, and making the most of the summer to swap screen time for time spent at the swimming pool, in the park, on the beach or playing sport.<\/p>\n How to detect myopia early<\/p>\n Short-sightedness usually develops between the ages of 6 and 12, and children rarely complain: they do not realise that they could see better. Warning signs for parents:<\/p>\n Today, myopia can be slowed down<\/strong><\/p>\n Detecting myopia early no longer just means prescribing glasses: it means being able to take action. There are proven treatments for myopia control \u2014 peripheral defocus lenses, specialised contact lenses, orthokeratology and low-dose atropine \u2014 which can slow its progression during childhood and reduce the future risk of complications associated with high myopia, such as retinal detachment or myopic maculopathy.<\/p>\n At INOF, the paediatric ophthalmology unit and the contact lens unit work in close collaboration to design the most appropriate myopia control strategy for each child, with personalised monitoring of their progress.<\/p>\n Book your appointment at INOF<\/strong><\/p>\n Summer is the ideal time for your children\u2019s eye check-up, without the rush of the school term and with plenty of time to start myopia control treatment before September.<\/p>\n www.inof.es \u00b7 933 933 156 \u00b7 Teknon Medical Centre, Consultorios Vilana 12, Barcelona<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Myopia is on the rise worldwide at a rate that is causing concern amongst ophthalmologists: it is estimated that by 2050, half the world\u2019s population will be short-sighted. However, research in recent years has confirmed a protective factor that is as powerful as it is accessible: natural light. Every hour of outdoor play counts, and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":6057,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[381],"tags":[],"post_series":[],"class_list":["post-6060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-myopia","entry","has-media"],"yoast_head":"\n\n