Even before the pandemic, the number of people suffering myopia, or near sightedness, was on the rise, with the prediction that half of us would be short sighted by the year 2050.

Even more worryingly, a recent Chinese study, published in the Journal of American Medicine (JAMA), showed a tripling in the number of children aged 6-13 diagnosed with myopia in 2020, compared to the years 2015 – 2019. Not only are numbers skyrocketing, but the severity of the condition is increasing at the same time.

Looking after our eyes is vital, especially during the childhood years, while the organs are still developing. Significant short sightedness is a massive disability. Imagine not being able to see clearly to the end of your arm without glasses. Childhood myopia, especially that which is rapidly progressing, may not be amenable to corrective laser surgery. Even if it is, the results might not be satisfactory.

Further down the line, childhood myopia is linked to overwhelming ocular complications including cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment and even complete blindness. Though we have been sat at screens for decades, the pandemic has only compounded this situation. Home schooling has seen children glued to computer monitors for much longer than they would have during a normal school day. Our offspring are receiving their first mobile phone at an increasingly junior age. This greater exposure to artificial high energy (blue) light, coupled with a more sedentary and unhealthier lifestyle, are all contributing to deterioration in a sense that most of us take for granted, yet without, would be completely lost.

The greatest risk factor for having myopia is both parents with the condition. Despite this there is a massive amount that we can do to help our children and ourselves. The most basic and easy to remember rule is that of 20-20-20. As well as being sat at least 40 cm away from a computer screen, every 20 minutes you should focus on something 20 feet away, for 20 seconds. Overall screen time should be reduced wherever possible. Purchasing larger displays may reduce the temptation to sit or hold them closer.

Exposure to natural light is important, with evidence that this type of light helps develop and maintain the appropriate distance between the lens and the retina, vital for correct focussing. Being outside also encourages you to look at objects near and far, giving the eyes a workout.

Going to bed at a reasonable hour has been shown to help, always useful if you’ve got little ones who insist on staying up late!

The eyes are like any other organ in the body, automatically benefitting from a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight loss if applicable. Don’t forget the importance of keeping yourself well hydrated.

Smoking doesn’t just affect the heart and lungs. It is the single biggest risk factor for Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMRD), one of the leading causes of sight loss.

Sunglasses with an appropriate CE or British Standards mark should be worn to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Consider them like applying a high factor sunscreen to shield your skin. It goes without saying that you should never stare directly at the sun.

Thousands of serious eye injuries every year could be prevented by the judicious use of safety goggles. Even if the job seems minor, it’s better to err on the side of caution.

No article on eye health would be complete without a strong encouragement to book an eye test. Though this may have been difficult during the earlier stages of the pandemic, the majority, if not all opticians are currently open.

You should have an examination every two years as a minimum, yet a group may require them more regularly, for example those with a family history of eye disease, an unstable prescription or where a specialist has advocated closer monitoring. Some will be eligible for free sight tests.

Not only will an eye examination provide a detailed assessment of your ocular health, it will spot potential signs of other often silent yet serious conditions, notably diabetes and high blood pressure. It can even detect the presence of a brain tumour.

Please remember that children don’t need to be able to read to undergo an eye test. Symptoms that your child might be struggling with their eyes are sitting very close to the TV, holding objects very near to their face, or excessively blinking or rubbing their eyes. A routine sight test would be the first action for any of the above.