The specialist in Ophthalmology of Hospiten Lanzarote, doctor Adolfo Espino, analyzes the increase in population groups that are increasingly younger who suffer from myopia. The main cause is due to the "excessive time" dedicated to tasks that require visual efforts at near and intermediate distances, for example, the intensive use of devices such as cell phones, tablets and computers, he adds.
Myopia "is a consequence of a combination of non-modifiable factors", such as "genetic inheritance", with other modifiable factors that are "its adequate correction" and "lifestyle". It is estimated that the genetic basis "defines people's susceptibility to developing myopia" and the rest are "environmental factors that influence this predisposition", he clarifies.
The doctor points out that more and more "children under 10 years of age are debuting with myopia year after year." The main cause associated with this increase in increasingly younger ages is "lifestyle". That is, visual work at close range "not only during study hours but also those dedicated to leisure", he confirms.
Currently, "there is no epidemiological study that allows us to know the incidence or prevalence of myopia in our region," he states. In a 2019 research article, the prevalence of myopia was placed in a sample of more than 5,000 children between the ages of five and seven, from different autonomous communities, which did not include the Canary Islands, close to 20%.
The specialist explains that "approximately one third of the world's population was myopic in 2020" and "the forecast is that myopic people will be just over half of the world's population in 2050," he anticipates.
"Pharmacological control, check-ups and establishing a limited time for the use of technology are advisable"
In the case of myopia, there are "several strategies" to "avoid or slow down" the progression of said "refractive defect once established", he warns. "On the one hand, optical control, with adequate correction and/or the use of orthokeratology"; also "limiting the time dedicated to near tasks and increasing the time spent on outdoor activities", he advises.
Adding "pharmacological and therapeutic control, in cases where a high risk of myopic progression is detected", including preventive treatments with diluted atropine eye drops for at least one year, he acknowledges.
The specialist points out that "in a healthy child, with normal psychomotor development, the first check-up by an ophthalmology specialist is advised between three and four years of age”. In addition, he states that "after the first visit, the recommendation would be a check-up every two years until they reach adulthood."
On the other hand, "if there is a family history, an annual check-up would be the most appropriate", he clarifies.
He also recommends "limiting the time dedicated to the use of technology." Thus limiting the intensity and extent of near work, interrupting it with breaks of at least about 10 minutes every hour and a half or two hours", he emphasizes. He makes it clear that it is advisable "at least two hours a day of outdoor activity, an important measure to prevent the establishment of myopia."
