Eye Doctor Appointment in Fort Myers
These days, we are all spending more time looking at computer screens. All that screen time is impacting eyes, and nearsightedness (myopia) is on the rise. For this reason, it is very important to have an eye doctor appointment in Fort Myers, and there is no better place than Elmquist Eye Group.
Myopia is on the rise
Scientists are still not exactly sure what causes myopia, which occurs when the eyeball is too long. The length causes light rays to focus in front of the retina rather than on the retina, and that creates a blurry image which can be corrected with eyeglasses.
Genetics are definitely a risk factor for early development of myopia, but so are lifestyle factors, which can be changed. Twenty-five years of research indicates that up close reading increases the chances of developing myopia. More recent investigations showed that screen time of six or more hours a day significantly increased the likelihood of a child developing myopia.
Manage your child’s screen time. Try to ensure that your child limits screen to only a few hours per day; this includes television, computer and devices all together. Take breaks every 20 minutes to blink to re-lubricate the eyes. According to the World Health Organization, children under age 5 should only spend an hour or less on digital devices. Kids over age 5 should take frequent breaks, amounting to a 20-second break for every 20 minutes of screen time. If needed, parents can set a timer to remind kids to take those breaks. Kids should also keep the digital media at least 18 inches away from the face, and ideally 24 inches away.
Why myopia is a risk
When a child has myopia at an early age, this puts the child at risk for several other eye problems later in life. These can include glaucoma, macular degeneration and an increased risk of retinal detachment.
It is important for parents to know about and think about myopia during childhood because your child is likely to become more myopic as he or she ages. In fact, the early the age of myopia onset, the more severe the myopia will become later in life.
The incidences of myopia are definitely on the rise globally, and are seen in children aged six to 19. In this age group, 40 percent of kids in Europe and North America have myopia, and even more kids in Asia have it.
Work with your child’s teachers and school to limit screen time. And, if it has been a while since your child had an eye exam, make an eye doctor appointment in Fort Myers at Elmquist Eye Group. We can perform vision testing and eye exams for all ages, and are well equipped and experienced in dealing with cases of myopia. Contact our experienced team today to schedule your appointment.