Why natural light is important for the eyesExperts say that natural light is important for healthy eye development.
“Natural light is crucial for healthy eye development, particularly in children.
Exposure to natural light regulates the release of dopamine in the retina, which helps control eye growth and prevents myopia.
Natural light is crucial for healthy eye development, particularly in children.
Spending less time outdoors, experts say, is a key reason behind the rise of myopia cases.
For many people around the world, mornings aren't 'good' (despite the cheery messages flooding WhatsApp) but rather blurry. Upon waking, the first thing they do is neither gush over the beautiful sky outside nor head straight to the washroom. Their mornings begin with some squints and struggles to navigate the surroundings until their hands locate their trusty pair of glasses. And if, by chance, their glasses are not in their usual spot, the quest for clear vision requires external intervention.
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Welcome to the world of myopics (people who have myopia or short-sightedness).
The alarming numbers
Myopia (short-sightedness), a condition due to which a person has difficulty seeing objects that are farther away, is fairly common. Think of the people around you. You will know at least a few people who struggle with it and wear glasses or lenses as their tool of vision.
According to a study published in 2021, more than fifty percent of the world's population will have myopia by 2050.
Myopia is primarily caused by an elongation of the eyeball which disrupts the light's focus within the eye. Myopia cases are on a rise. (Photo: Pexels)
“Eyes have a 'stop signal' so that they grow proportionally with the head. The signal, however, can get interrupted by genetic and environmental factors. That leads to our eyeballs growing a bit too much, making them too big for the optics (lens and cornea). This mismatch between the eyeballs and optics leads to far-off objects looking out of focus,” Gregory Schwartz, an associate professor at the Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, explained while speaking to Reader’s Digest India (May 2024).
What’s behind this alarming rise? The factors are many (including the device on which you are reading this story), but a prominent reason is spending less time outdoors.
Why natural light is important for the eyes
Experts say that natural light is important for healthy eye development. A 2017 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found a correlation between increased UVB exposure and a decrease in myopia, especially in adolescence and early adulthood.
“Natural light is crucial for healthy eye development, particularly in children. Exposure to natural light regulates the release of dopamine in the retina, which helps control eye growth and prevents myopia. That is why encouraging outdoor activities, especially during daylight hours, is vital for promoting healthy eye development,” Dr Savitha Arun, senior consultant, anterior segment and electrophysiology, Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital, Bengaluru, tells India Today. Natural light is crucial for healthy eye development, particularly in children. (Photo: Pexels)
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Blame the phones and computers.
Even as infants and toddlers cry inconsolably, many new-age parents resort to handing them their mobile phones to keep them occupied. These digital devices have also become the ultimate source of entertainment and play for kids. Spending less time outdoors, experts say, is a key reason behind the rise of myopia cases. (Photo: Getty Images)
“Both children and adults are spending less time outdoors. The primary source of entertainment for many individuals now revolves around digital screens, which are predominantly used indoors rather than outdoors. This shift in lifestyle preferences towards indoor activities has contributed to reduced outdoor time among the population,” says Dr Faizah Shahreer Ahmad, an ophthalmologist and fellow with Sightsavers India.
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Dr Savitha Arun adds that engaging in activities that involve looking at distant objects outdoors can help relax the eyes and mitigate the risk of short-sightedness.
Limit the screen time
While children and young adults should certainly be encouraged to spend time outdoors, the focus should also be on limiting screen time and other near-work activities.
“Excessive screen time, especially among younger individuals, may strain the eyes due to prolonged near-work activities,” says Dr Arun.
The prevention and treatment
As the number of myopia cases rises around the world, experts say that there are several exciting developments in its treatment.
“Orthokeratology (special contact lenses) and low-dose atropine eye drops have shown promise in slowing myopia progression, offering hope for more effective management in the future,” says Dr Arun.
“There is a lot of research being done around atropine eye drops, and it is said to decrease the growth of eyeballs and prevent the progression of myopia,” says Dr Rashmi Consultant Ophthalmologist, Manipal Hospital Goa. Low-dose atropine eye drops have shown promise in slowing myopia progression (Photo: Getty Images)
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To prevent myopia in both adults and children, eye specialists recommend:
Encouraging outdoor activities
Limiting screen time
Taking regular breaks from near work (like reading)
Maintaining at least one-metre distance while reading
Ensuring adequate lighting during reading and computer use
Dr Rashmi suggests following a 20-20-20 if someone’s work demands spending a lot of time on a laptop/mobile phone. “Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds,” she says.
According to experts, people with myopia are at a higher risk of developing eye issues as they age, like glaucoma, early cataracts and macular degeneration. Those suffering from it should wear their glasses or contact lenses, and get regular eye checkups (once in six months or a year).
Published By: Medha Chawla Published On: May 17, 2024
