Doctor warns

More and more children are getting glasses at an unprecedented rate, and dangerously at a young age. They leave on the blackboard of the classroom or are struggling with a blurred vision while watching TV. Myopia (also known as a nearby) is a condition where distant objects appear blurred, requiring glasses to cure vision. It is worrying that nowadays children need glasses before losing their child’s teeth. While the screen is mainly for blaming, there is another silent reason that contributes to the deteriorating vision of young children.

In an interview with HT lifestyle, Dr. Amod Nayak, Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Aggarwal Eye Hospital, Bengaluru shared how poor sleep habits are contributing to the increasing number of children requiring glasses.

He said, “Sleep is important for maintaining overall health-physical, mental, and emotional good. It is essential not only for physical restoration, but also for improvement in cognitive work and overall well-being. In children, in children, sleep, also supports inadequate sleep with time. It continues to grow, it is important to understand the role of poor sleep as a contribution factor.”

Also read: Are we facing an epidemic? By 2050, about 1 billion children may require glasses

Dr. Amod Nayak shared a detailed guide with us, in which poor sleep habits were formed, why sleep can affect the vision, and what to do to reduce the parents’ status.
Here is the guide:

What are the poor sleeping habits?

1. Low sleep duration (less than 7-8 hours per night.)

2. Quality of poor sleep (frequent awakening, irregular sleep program.)

3. Use excessive screen before bed.

Why does bad sleep cause myopia?

Sarkadian misalgnament causes a neurochemical imbalance, especially two molecules

These two neurochemicals are essential for healthy sarcadian rhythm, mood regulation and oocular development.

• Due to low sleep, melatonin and vice versa are produced, causing retina disintegration and possibly affects the development of the eye.
• There is also a sign of low sleep and dopamine. This dopamine prevents excessive eye growth, and low levels of dopamine, in turn, increases the axial length, leading to the progression of Myopia.
• Sleep -deprived children are often less active and spend less time outside, lowering the risk.
• Artificial blue lights, especially from LED screen (phone, tablet, computer), can disrupt the natural light-dark cycle that controls dopamine release in the retina and suppresses melatonin production, delays the onset of sleep and reduces the overall sleep period.
• Children are more sensitive to blue lights due to their clear lenses and comprehensive students; Therefore, screen exposure will have a strong impact on them.

What can parents do to help?

• Children follow a regular sleep pattern and schedule.
• Encourage the external activity of the day, which supports Sarcadian Rhythm Health and provides protective benefits for eye development.
• Limit the first screen exposure and no screen at bedtime.
• Use of blue light filters or ‘night mode’ settings on devices when the screen is unavoidable.
• Use ambient lighting in the evening that mimics a warm, low -intensity light to support the normal neurotransmitter cycles.

Note the readers: This article is only for informative purposes and is not an option for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor with any question about a medical condition.