COVID-19 and quarantine have changed many things in our routines. Not being able to travel, meet friends, and go to work are just a few of many modifications that we have now become accustomed to. Online schooling is also a large change that students, teachers, and parents are adjusting to. Although many students may be able to list some advantages of online school: sleeping in, open-book exams, etc., research shows that online learning may have some undiscussed detrimental effects on the health of primary-school-aged children. One such consequence called ‘quarantine myopia’ is now becoming significantly common in children learning online.
Written by Navreen Dosanjh
What Is Myopia?
Myopia is also known as near-sightedness. Due to an error in the eye’s ability to refract light, objects that are close appear as clear images whereas the objects that are further away are perceived as blurry. Myopia usually occurs when children have inherited the trait or between the teenage years when the body is rapidly developing; however, myopia may also occur in adults.
Sometimes, myopia is able to self-stabilize between the ages 20-30. Alternatively, this can be corrected by glasses or refractive surgery.
Myopia is caused when the cornea is steeper than normal or when the eye is longer than normal. Myopia can also be caused by the lack of time spent exposing oneself to the outdoors. Therefore, the causes of myopia are a mix of both environmental factors and genetics.
How Has ‘Quarantine Myopia’ Become Common in Children?
Myopia is becoming increasingly common in children who are learning online. As discussed in the previous section, myopia can be caused by a lack of time spent outdoors. Working indoors and closely to electronic devices for long hours are most likely the cause. When children spend a long time focusing closely on an e-book, phone, laptop, etc. the eye needs to work harder to keep focused, and usually without any breaks. Research shows that the eye can physically change and become longer to adapt to the focusing of objects for a long time. Although glasses may be used to temporarily solve the problem, myopia often leads to further serious conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and eventually vision loss.
It is extremely important that everyone working online maintains a balance between their screen time and outdoor activities. It is crucial for online workers to give their eyes a rest and protect their vision.
Comments