Four Apps to Help Combat Myopia in Children Caused by Smartphone Addiction
The occurrence of myopia, also known as near-sightedness, has been increasing among children in India, raising significant concerns. This visual condition results in clear vision for nearby objects but causes blurriness for distant ones. Myopia is the most prevalent refractive error globally, with a particular impact on children. Experts anticipate that by 2050, approximately half of the world’s population could be affected by this condition.
Both genetic and environmental factors influence the development of myopia. It typically begins to appear in childhood and adolescence. Older children can express their vision problems, but younger children may not be able to express their vision problems clearly. However, changes in behavior or other signs may indicate vision problems in younger children.
A report in the Times of India highlighted that progressive myopia is increasingly common among school-going children, with proximity to work and prolonged sitting indoors as major contributing factors. Pediatric ophthalmologists in India recommend early eye screening for children, especially if their parents wear glasses, as it can help detect potential vision problems early. The good news is that newer medications and interventions are available that can help slow the progression of myopia.
India, being the most populous country with a significant youth population, faces a unique challenge in managing myopia cases. In the era of digitalization, the screen time of individuals has increased considerably, and children are no exception. Widespread use of smartphones, computers, laptops and television screens has become an integral part of their daily routines. In addition, in recent years, children have become more homebound and close to work, while their outdoor play has decreased significantly.
In order to combat the growing cases of myopia, it is important that parents and guardians are vigilant about their children’s vision health. Encouraging outdoor activities and limiting screen time can be helpful. In addition, regular eye examinations by qualified professionals can help in the early detection and proper management of myopia.
Vision-improving applications
In addition to visiting the eye doctor, various applications are available from the Google Play Store that help not only check your vision, but also various tips and exercises to correct problems. Some of these are:
Eye Exercises: This app offers a variety of exercises, including eye blink exercises, object tracking, object scaling, and palm exercises. This Eye Care app aims to combat problems such as dry eyes, accommodation spasms and lazy eyes.
VisionUp: This is an eye yoga exercise app. It offers exercises designed to improve the strength and flexibility of the muscles that control eye movement. These exercises can improve hand-eye coordination, eye tracking and eye focus, and improve vision.
EyesX: This app offers eye exercises according to your needs. If you are a player, we recommend different exercises, and if you are a student, you will get some other exercises. It also offers a lot of eye health tips.
VisionTests: This is a free app that checks your vision and helps find vision problems. It is very simple to use and self-diagnose. If you care about your children’s eye health, this app is perfect. This app provides ophthalmology exams by famous ophthalmologists and optometrists.
