There’s a growing concern about the Gen Z blindness.
A renowned eye surgeon warns in a recent research that Gen Zers are becoming more nearsighted from staring at their electronics all day and that if they continue to stay indoors while glued to their phones and there will be an epidemic of blindness.
Over the past three decades, the UK has seen a 46% increase in the prevalence of nearsightedness or myopia a condition that is becoming more and more common worldwide. Teenage myopia has increased a startling 59% in the US, according to a Californian study.
Zoomers who don’t get enough natural sunlight during adolescence run the increasing danger of experiencing severe vision issues which could even result in blindness.
World-renowned eye surgeon Dr. Joern Jorgensen of Laser Eye Clinic London has cautioned that the problem would only worsen due to a lack of dopamine among Gen Zers or those born between the mid-1990s and mid-2010s.
Dopamine alterations eyesight for daylight circumstances in the retina. Spending time in the sun raises dopamine levels but remaining indoors lowers the amounts of this crucial neurotransmitter which can cause major vision issues.
Myopia can result from spending too much time staring at electronic devices that are only a few inches away from the face.
Their lack of exposure to natural sunshine during a crucial period of their lives is contributing to a marked increase in myopia Dr. Joern Jorgensen told the reporters, “It is concerning and what we are witnessing is an epidemic.”
He said that a chemical process which releases dopamine is caused when one goes outside during the day to play sports such as football or just to hang out with friends.
Not simply genetics but also increased screen time and less exposure to sunlight are likely causing children to acquire myopia younger than they would otherwise.
We are discussing kids who are four or five years old. Dr. Maria Liu is an associate clinical optometry professor at the University of California.
The World Health Organization projects that 40% of people on the planet will be nearsighted by 2030.
When a screen is held close to the face the eyes overcompensate and blink less which causes the eyeball and lens to gradually elongate over time.
Researcher said that a young people with serious cases of myopia also have a 41% increased risk of acquiring macular degeneration and one of the main causes of blindness.
52% of children today play outside less than their parents did when they were younger according to research from the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition. Myopia Focus started a petition last year to increase funding for children’s shortsightedness treatments in the NHS.
