Youngsters under the age of 10 in the United Arab Emirates experience an increased risk of nearsightedness due to excessive screen time.
In the bustling educational scene of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), schools are taking proactive steps to combat the rising trend of myopia among schoolchildren. At Woodlem Park School in Hamidiya, Ajman, a community-driven approach is in place. Teachers are vigilant, observing students for signs of eye strain and promptly alerting parents when necessary. This diligence extends to other schools in the UAE, such as GEMS Education, where preventive health education is a key part of the curriculum. The increase in myopia cases among school-age children in the UAE is part of a global phenomenon known as the 'myopia boom.' According to Dr. Ahmed El-Barky, Consultant ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal surgeon & HOD at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, there has been a measurable increase in myopia cases in the UAE. Systematic reviews suggest that every extra hour of daily screen use is linked with significantly higher odds of developing myopia. This risk increases sharply for children under ten who spend more hours on devices. To mitigate this, schools conduct vision screenings for students at multiple stages, including Grades 1, 4, 7, and 10, as well as for all new students. Outdoor time is consistently shown to be protective against the development and progression of myopia. Schools strive to balance purposeful digital learning with outdoor activities, eye relaxation practices, and promote the 20-20-20 rule: for every 20 minutes of near work, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Teachers are attentive to signs of vision difficulties among students and flag them for further attention. At American Academy for Girls, teachers are trained to coach students to use apps or timers that help them self-monitor and limit screen time. Principal Lisa Johnson, among others, emphasises the importance of maintaining good health and a proper work-life balance. She uses an app to track her own screen time. Regular eye check-ups and awareness sessions for students and parents form part of the school's wellness programme. While screens are not the sole cause of myopia, they act as a catalyst for the condition, particularly for children. Early onset before the age of seven or eight tends to result in more years of progression, raising the likelihood of more severe outcomes later in life. The organization that published a pooled data analysis projecting a rising trend of myopia in children and adolescents worldwide in the British Journal of Ophthalmology could not be explicitly named in the provided search results. However, the findings underscore the need for schools to adopt comprehensive strategies to protect the eye health of their students.
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