Over half of Hong Kong parents unaware of health dangers facing their children if they develop myopia
Myopia affects more young children than ever, with a recent study showing that over half of their parents are oblivious of the possible dangers it brings, like increased risks of glaucoma and retina detachment.
Myopia – also called short-sightedness – affects more young children than ever, with a recent study showing that over half of their parents are oblivious of the possible dangers it brings, like increased risks of glaucoma and retina detachment.
A survey among parents of 1,290 Hong Kong primary school students with serious myopia – eyesight of -6 dioptres – revealed that a majority are unaware that their children have a much higher risk of developing glaucoma, cataracts and retina detachment, which could lead to blindness. The survey was conducted by Orbis, an international charity seeking to prevent blindness.
“Parents are too concerned about the study part of education, and have neglected children’s need to play outdoors,” said paediatric ophthalmologist Dr Flora Lau Hou-shan, who said more children had serious cases of myopia today because of a lack of outdoor play and activity and increasingly early use of electronic devices.
Over 6 per cent of Hong Kong kindergarten pupils had myopia – a worrying trend as children’s shortsightedness only worsened throughout childhood and into the teenage years, which meant the chance of developing more serious problems increased, she said.
Lau recommended that children under the age of two should not use electronic devices at all, while those who are in nursery or kindergarten should try to limit usage to 30 minutes a day. She also said that while primary school students may have to use computers for their studies, she encouraged parents to minimise unnecessary use.
She also said for balanced development – especially as it affects eyesight – an hour or at least half an hour of outdoor activity was crucial.
A child with serious myopia faced a three to five-times higher chance of developing glaucoma and cataracts, said Lau. Other dangerous eye conditions more easily triggered by the condition include retinal holes, macular haemorrhage and retina detachment.
Lasik eye surgery later in life will only mean a person will no longer need glasses, but it doesn’t change the condition of the eye and does not lower risks.
“Once your child has serious myopia when they’re young, they will carry those higher risks, even after Lasik surgery removes the need to use glasses,” she warned
