New research reveals a sharp increase in short-sightedness among preschool children in Scotland following pandemic lockdowns. The study suggests that reduced outdoor time and increased screen use during the pandemic may have contributed to the rise in myopia.
Lockdown may have left thousands of British children with damaged eyesight, according to new research. While the stay-at-home orders helped to cut the covid infection rate, one of the unintended consequences appears to have been a detrimental impact on the eye health of the UK's kids. The gigantic uptick in screen time and a lack of natural light led to what some specialists called 'coronavision'.
A March 2024 study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that short-sightedness - known medically as 'myopia' - triped globally between 1990 and 2023. Scientists detected a 'notable' jump after the covid pandemic. Whereas between 1990 and 2019, global rates of myopia increased by 5.34 per cent, in the period from 2020 - when the pandemic hit - to 2023, that number shot up to a 6.15 per cent rise. Now new research on children in the UK appears to corroborate those findings. More than 1,000 pre-school youngsters in Scotland were diagnosed with short-sightedness in the wake of pandemic emergency measures – a 42 per cent rise in the incidence of myopia. The alarming figures, unveiled at an international conference, suggest that a lack of natural light while spending more time indoors due to pandemic restrictions may have left many children unable to see properly. More than 1,000 pre-school youngsters were diagnosed with short-sightedness in the wake of pandemic emergency measures – a 42 per cent rise in the incidence of myopia. Increased amounts of screen time, lack of natural light and activity during COVID-19 pandemic had a catastrophic effect on their eye health, according to several studies. Eye experts say kids can prevent myopia by spending more time outside, taking breaks between looking at the screen, and even blinking more. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHORT AND LONG-SIGHTEDNESS? Both short-sightedness and long-sightedness are common conditions which diminish a person's eyesight. Short-sighted people (myopic) have difficulty seeing objects at a distance. They favour objects that are closer to them. Their vision is clear when looking at things up close, but further away objects become out of focus or blurred. Short-sightedness (myopia) occurs when the distance from the front to the back of the cornea's curve is too steep. This forces the light to focus in front of the retina, making objects in the distance appear blurred. Long-sightedness (hyperopic) is the opposite of this and allows people to see objects clearly at a distance but find it hard to focus on things close to them. This makes day-to-day activities such as working, reading or watching TV difficult and can result in eye strain. This then produces fatigue and headaches. Long-sightedness (hyperopic) occurs when the distance from the front to the back of the cornea's curve is too steep. Advertisement It's the latest study that lays bare the scale and range of harm inflicted on young Scots by lockdown. Social work consultant Maggie Mellon – former director of services for the charity Children 1st – said: 'Locking down children, closing schools and denying them fresh air and exercise was one of the worst decisions made. 'If there is a lesson from lockdown, it is to cut screen time, get children out of doors as much as possible, and ensure that every family has sufficient income and access to resources to give their children the good start in life that they need.' All children aged three to five are offered eye tests under the NHS's See4School programme. Researchers from Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and London University analysed the results from eight Scottish health boards for three years before the pandemic - 2013/14 to 2015/2016. Then they compared them with post-lockdown figures for 2020/21 and 2021/22. Diagnoses of myopia rose significantly from an average of 405 per year before the pandemic to 579 afterwards. In 2013/14, there were 320 cases, in 2021/22 there were 586. It's unusual for myopia to set in at a very young age, which makes the latest results all the more concerning. But the true scale of the damage is likely to be far greater as only pre-schoolers are routinely tested in Scotland. In the Chinese city of Feicheng – where families were subject to a brutally-strict lockdown be-tween January and May 2020 – experts examined the eyes of children aged six to 13 returning to primary and secondary classes. They uncovered an epidemic of what they called 'quarantine myopia'. Short-sightedness was detected in 22 per cent of six-year-olds – a staggering fivefold jump compared with before Covid. A lack of natural light while spending more time indoors due to pandemic restrictions may have left many children unable to see properly. Between 1990 and 2019, global rates of myopia increased by 5.34 per cent, in the period from 2020 - when the pandemic hit - to 2023, that number shot up to a 6.15 per cent rise
MYOPIA LOCKDOWN CHILDREN EYESIGHT SCREEN TIME NATURAL LIGHT PANDEMIC
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Long-term report: Skoda’s new Kodiaq welcomed to the long-term fleetThe Kodiaq has proven a hit with families, but what has a new generation got to offer? Nigel Swan has been finding out.
Read more »
Long-Term Hospitalization for Individuals with Learning Disabilities: A Growing Concern in ScotlandA new report has revealed that some individuals with learning disabilities and complex needs in Scotland have been hospitalized for over 25 years. The Mental Welfare Commission of Scotland investigated the circumstances of 55 individuals who had remained in learning disability or mental health hospitals for more than a decade. The report highlights the need for improved discharge practices and greater support for individuals with learning disabilities in the community.
Read more »
Everton's Transfer Window Tightrope Walk: Short-Term Gains vs. Long-Term VisionEverton faces a dilemma in the final days of the transfer window: urgently address squad needs to avoid relegation while staying mindful of Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) that could limit future spending. The club is exploring both loan and permanent options for a striker and pacey attacking reinforcements, prioritizing players ready to contribute immediately. Manager Sean Dyche's impact on the team has been positive, infusing a more attacking style and boosting morale. While the club navigates the immediate crisis, long-term plans for rebuilding the squad are also underway, with a significant turnover of players expected in the summer.
Read more »
Unspoken Social Rules of Scotland Revealed by Locals on RedditReddit users from Scotland shared their unique social customs and etiquette tips for visitors to Scotland.
Read more »
BBC Scotland Aims to Make Scotland Men's Football Matches Free-to-AirBBC Scotland's new director, Hayley Valentine, expressed her desire to show Scotland's national men's football team matches on terrestrial TV, acknowledging the importance of sport to Scottish audiences and ongoing discussions with rights holders. While ViaPlay currently holds the broadcast rights until 2028, Valentine emphasized the financial challenges of acquiring such rights and the need for value for money in programming decisions.
Read more »
BBC Scotland in talks to show Scotland's international football matches on terrestrial TVThere are discussions underway for BBC Scotland to broadcast Scotland's international football matches on free-to-air television, a long-awaited move supported by fans and politicians. The article argues that Scottish football fans deserve to watch their national team play for free, similar to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland supporters.
Read more »