Eyes are the blessing of God. We observe everything around us through eyes and then see and praise the creativity of God. It’s an obvious trend that human eyesight weakens with the passage of time all over the world, but if it affects before the expected age then it’s alarming. It’s a common observation that mostly people above 40 years old affected with eyesight problems due to work load, dietary problems and inheritance issues etc.
Myopia is the disease of shortsightedness which is prevailing rapidly all over the world and most common in Asian countries. Pakistan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and many others have been suffering with this problem for many years and it’s increasing day by day. As per research, about 30% of world population has already been affected by this disease which will be increased up to 50% by 2050. This disease is most common among children who are below 15 years or school going. The causes of this disease are genetics, lack of outdoor activities, frequent exposure to digital media and malnutrition etc. China and Taiwan have the highest myopic rate in the world, where every 2nd or 3rd child wear glasses due to this disease and main reason is to spend less time in outdoor activities.
Myopic problem is also major growing concern for Pakistan where prevalence rate is approx. 36%.
Children spend less time in outdoor activities in daylight and parents do not encourage them due to many concerns; e.g. unbearable weather conditions, fear of criminal activities, for maintaining financial status and so on. However, law and order conditions are much better now as compared to previous years but due to over concerned behavior of parents; this problem is common in middle and high-income groups of Pakistan where children are admitted in private schools. Private schools in Pakistan provide more relaxed and hygienic environment to children for playing activities but they all are indoor activities which creates Vitamin D deficiency, which is a major cause of Myopia. In Pakistan where youth population is more than adults and old age group, this problem is raising many concerns for their future and their mental health. Myopia also causes weakening of the eye muscles because by wearing glasses and lenses; sight functions are performed by the devices and muscles turn out to be lazy and inactive to show its proper function.
Middle and high-income groups are more suffered with this problem and the main reason is the use of electronic devices by the children; e.g. mobile phones, easy access to internet, PlayStation games etc. Despite of many expert Ophthalmologists; despite of mentioning instructions to restrict the children on these devices, parents are still not bothering this aspect which depicts their carelessness attitude (Parenthood) towards this problem. Moreover, people can afford the
expenses of glasses, lenses and medicines so they are less concerned about doctors’ advice and prescriptions. This problem is less common in low income group or government school going children because of unaffordability of these luxurious electronic devices and parent’s control over children in this group. As per research, this problem is most commonly related to other reflective error problem with 22% in total and in gender wise; males 26% and 18% in females with related to other reflective error disease.
Parents should focus on the activities of their children and should limit the usage of electronic gadgets. Private schools should also motivate the students to focus on outdoor activities and manual work because, it will mobilize their body movements and keep them healthy and active. Although due to this globalization and high-tech era, it’s not possible to stop the usage of these devices and activities however, mitigation measures should be followed to control the consequences of this problem for wellbeing and future of their children. As per current situation, Pakistan is suffering from many other educational and health problems, so it’s better to safeguard your children without involving them in more troublesome situation because Health is wealth.
The writer is a PhD scholar at the College of Public Administration, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R China, and can be reached at [email protected]