Why more kids are nearsighted

August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month. One of the more common vision conditions kids face is myopia, better known as nearsightedness. Myopia causes distant objects to appear blurry while close objects are clear. Although it’s a common childhood eye condition today, it wasn’t always that way.

Researchers have looked at nearsighted rates in children and have made an interesting discovery: There’s been a sharp increase in kids developing myopia over the past few decades. So, why is myopia on the rise, and what can parents do?

Myopia rates have skyrocketed since 1990

The British Journal of Ophthalmology published a study that reviewed the results of 276 global studies on myopia from 1990 to 2023, and found that a third of young people have nearsightedness today — that’s triple what it was in 1990.¹

Experts believe the modern lifestyle is largely to blame for the increase in nearsighted kids. Children today spend more time indoors staring at screens, such as TVs, tablets, computers and phones, and less time playing outside.

Your eyes work harder when you’re doing close-up tasks like reading, drawing and looking at screens. When your eyes work hard, it can lead to eye strain and may cause the eyeball to lengthen (a physical cause of myopia).

What happens when myopia is left unchecked

Without proper treatment, nearsightedness can cause problems for kids. For example: When a child can’t read the whiteboard at school, they can fall behind. If the condition progresses to a severe stage, it can increase your child’s chances of developing other serious eye disorders later in life.

Fortunately, mild myopia can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. That's why early detection and treatment are important.

What parents can do

The good news is that parents help reduce the risk or slow the worsening of nearsightedness in kids. Here are some simple steps that will go a long way toward protecting your children’s eyes:

Watch out for myopia symptoms: If your child complains of headaches, squints when they’re looking at something, holds objects close to their face or frequently rubs their eyes, your child may have nearsightedness. Schedule an eye exam if you notice any of these symptoms in your child.
Encourage outdoor play: Natural light and looking at objects in the distance help the eyes develop properly, so aim to get your kids outside to play each day.
Limit screen time: Keep tabs on how much your child is focused on a screen. Also, follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, have your child look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This simple strategy will help prevent eye strain.
Get regular eye exams: Children should have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months, again at age 3, and before starting school.² Your eye care specialist will recommend a specific schedule for your child’s follow-up visits.

See clearly with DeltaVision

Myopia may be common nowadays, but early detection and healthy habits make it manageable. Talk to your child’s eye doctor if you have concerns about their vision. A few small changes now could mean a lifetime of better eye health.

If you need to find a new eye care specialist for your family, check out the DeltaVision online Find a Provider tool. Here, you’ll be able to access a list of nearby, in-network vision professionals who can help you and your children see clearly for years to come.

REFERENCES:

¹ British Journal of Opthalmology

² American Optometric Association

SOURCES:

UCLA Health

Optometrists Network

Oregon Health & Science University

The Guardian

Sugar overload? Find a healthy balance

From holiday pies to your favorite fizzy drinks, sugar is everywhere. But sugar wasn’t always such a staple in our diets. In fact, a few hundred years ago, it was considered a luxury item. Today, added sugars are hidden in everyday foods. Knowing about these sneaky sugars and limiting them can make a big difference in your oral and overall health.

Our diet has sweetened over time

In the year 1800, the average American consumed about 22 grams of sugar per day,¹ which is less than the amount in one can of soda. Fast forward to today, and many Americans consume over 10 times that amount each day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that adults consume an average of 17 teaspoons of added sugar daily — about 71 grams — well above recommended limits.²

Added sugars are a main reason why our sugar consumption has exploded in modern times. Unlike natural sugars that you may find in fruit or milk, added sugars like cane sugar or brown sugar are added during the food manufacturing process and are more harmful to your health. Many foods that weren’t previously sweetened, such as condiments, salad dressings, yogurt and bread, now often contain added sugar. And unfortunately, all that sugar leads to a wide range of health problems.

Limiting sugar does your whole body good

Sugar feeds harmful bacteria in your mouth, which can increase acid levels that weaken your enamel (the outer layer of your tooth). If you regularly eat sugary food and drinks, this creates the right environment for cavities and gum disease to form.

Sugar has also been linked to major health conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.³ Reducing your sugar intake has benefits for your whole body.

3 ways to cut back on sugar

The American Heart Association recommends women should limit added sugar to 25 grams a day and men to 36 grams a day.⁴

The good news is you don’t have to give up sugary foods entirely, but cutting back has major health benefits.

Here are some simple ways to help you limit sugar in your diet:

Swap with fruit: Use fresh fruit to sweeten foods like plain oatmeal or yogurt instead of sugar or honey.
Read labels: Ingredients labels let you know how much added sugar the product contains. Get in the habit of reading the labels before you buy a product.
Choose water: Sodas, sweet teas and even fruit juices can be huge sources of added sugar in your daily diet. Water not only contains zero sugar, but it has the added oral health benefit of washing away food particles and keeping your mouth hydrated. If you do eat a sweet treat, drinking a glass of water after is a great way to wash away some of the sugar in your mouth.

Sugar in moderation is the goal

You don’t have to eliminate sugar to live a healthful life. What’s a birthday without a slice of cake or a camping trip without s’mores? Moderation is key. And, if you’re mindful of the sneaky sugars in your food and drinks, you’ll go a long way toward boosting your overall and oral health.

Protecting your smile with good habits and thoughtful choices will keep your whole body healthy. Along with cutting back on sugar, stick to a solid daily dental care routine that includes twice-daily brushing and daily flossing.

Also, don’t forget to see your dentist every 6 months for deep cleanings and checkups. Need help finding a dentist near you? Delta Dental of Iowa can help. Our online Find a Provider tool will give you a list of in-network dentists near you to choose from.

REFERENCES:

¹ LinkedIn

² U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

³ Harvard Health Publishing

⁴ American Heart Association

SOURCES:

American Dental Association Mouth Healthy

The Nutrition Source

American Heart Association