We spend hours looking at screens — our phones, tablets, laptops and televisions. And for children, that screen time is increasingly happening from a very young age. But could the way we live —
spending more time indoors and focusing on things close to our faces — actually be changing the way our eyes develop? We’re talking about myopia, or short-sightedness, where people can see things close up but struggle to see clearly in the distance. It is becoming increasingly common around the world, particularly among children and young people. One widely cited global projection estimates that by 2050, almost half of the world’s population could be myopic — close to five billion people.
And this isn't simply about needing a stronger pair of glasses. Severe myopia can increase the risk of serious eye conditions, including retinal problems and retinal detachment. So, as we mark
Eye Care Awareness Month, we're asking: are we raising a generation that is becoming increasingly short-sighted — and what can parents and adults do about it?

We spend hours looking at screens &mdash; our phones, tablets, laptops&nbsp;and televisions. And for children, that screen time is increasingly&nbsp;happening from a very young age. But could the way we live &mdash; spending more time indoors and focusing on things close to our&nbsp;faces &mdash; actually be changing the way our eyes develop?&nbsp;We&rsquo;re talking about myopia, or short-sightedness, where people&nbsp;can see things close up but struggle to see clearly in the distance. It&nbsp;is becoming increasingly common around the world, particularly&nbsp;among children and young people. One widely cited global&nbsp;projection estimates that by 2050, almost half of the world&rsquo;s&nbsp;population could be myopic &mdash; close to five billion people. And this isn't simply about needing a stronger pair of glasses.&nbsp;Severe myopia can increase the risk of serious eye conditions,&nbsp;including retinal problems and retinal detachment. So, as we mark Eye Care Awareness Month, we're asking: are we raising a&nbsp;generation that is becoming increasingly short-sighted &mdash; and&nbsp;what can parents and adults do about it?

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope