Is Myopia Inherited? Understanding The Genetics Vs Lifestyle Equation In Children | Health and Fitness News

Last Updated:

Is childhood myopia genetic or lifestyle-driven? Experts explain how genes, screen time, and outdoor habits shape vision health.

Childhood myopia is no longer a niche concern, it’s a public health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by 2050, nearly half of the world’s population could be myopic, compared to about 30% today.

Childhood myopia is no longer a niche concern, it’s a public health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by 2050, nearly half of the world’s population could be myopic, compared to about 30% today.

As childhood myopia surges worldwide, parents are often left wondering: Is it in the genes, or is modern lifestyle to blame? Increasingly, experts agree that the answer is both and the balance between nature and nurture is shifting faster than expected.

The Global Rise of Childhood Myopia

Childhood myopia is no longer a niche concern, it’s a public health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by 2050, nearly half of the world’s population could be myopic, compared to about 30% today.

According to Dr. Vipin Gupta, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Max Superspeciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, genetics significantly shape a child’s risk. “Children with one myopic parent have an approximately threefold higher risk, and those with two myopic parents face up to a sixfold increased likelihood,” he explains.

But Dr. Gupta emphasizes that this is only part of the story. “Mounting research shows lifestyle factors now exert comparable influence,” he adds signalling a shift that is reshaping how clinicians understand and manage childhood myopia.

Lifestyle: The Modern Driver of Myopia

The explosion of digital use, indoor schooling, and limited outdoor exposure are dramatically accelerating early-onset myopia.

Dr. Gupta points to several contributing factors: prolonged screen exposure, extended reading or studying at close distances, insufficient outdoor activity, poor sleep, and even urban air pollution. A referenced 2022 study from JAMA Ophthalmology found that children who spent less than 60 minutes outdoors daily had almost double the risk of developing myopia compared to those getting 90–120 minutes of outdoor light.

Similarly, Dr Suresh K. Pandey of SuVi Eye Hospital, Kota, notes that the trend toward earlier diagnosis is no coincidence. “Nearsightedness is increasingly diagnosed in younger children, even without a family history,”he says. “This unequivocally proves that lifestyle choices, especially those shaped by modern urban living, are equally critical.”

Children today spend more time indoors than any generation before them. Screen-based learning, entertainment, and sedentary play are replacing the outdoor time that earlier generations took for granted.

“Children’s eyes face mounting stress from prolonged near-focused tasks, less natural light exposure, and excessive screen use,” warns Dr. Pandey.

Environmental and Nutritional Influences

Both experts acknowledge that environmental quality and poor nutrition play unseen but important roles.

Air pollution, for example, contributes to eye fatigue and inflammation. Meanwhile, diets low in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A and C can compromise ocular health.

Dr. Gupta highlights the protective value of nutrient-rich foods particularly those containing lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3s, and zinc for retinal and corneal health.

Prevention: A Multifactorial Approach

Both clinicians agree that childhood myopia is highly modifiable, even if genetically predisposed.

Dr. Gupta recommends a structured prevention plan:

90–120 minutes of daily outdoor exposure, which slows axial elongation

The 20-20-20 rule to prevent digital eye strain

Proper posture and ambient lighting during study

Moderating digital device use before bedtime

Annual eye exams for children over five

“While the genetic blueprint for myopia cannot be altered, its clinical progression is strongly modifiable,” emphasizes Dr. Gupta.

Dr. Pandey echoes these guidelines, adding, “With appropriate lifestyle adjustments, myopia in children can be effectively managed from onset to progression, even when genetics are a factor.”

He stresses that even one to two hours of outdoor time per day can significantly aid healthy visual development.

Community Awareness: The Kota Example

During Myopia Awareness Week (November 14–20, 2025), Dr. Pandey led one of India’s largest community-focused eye-health initiatives. He organized interactive workshops, free eye camps, and school programs—engaging thousands of families.

More than 10,000 schoolchildren participated in the “Eyes Up, Screens Down” pledge, embracing daily habits that promote visual well-being.

Through educational sessions, nutritional guidance, and demonstrations of the 20-20-20 rule, Dr. Pandey brought practical, accessible preventive strategies to urban communities.

“Early intervention and consistent awareness can transform long-term eye health outcomes,”

he notes.

The Bottom Line: Genetics Loads the Gun, Lifestyle Pulls the Trigger

While children with myopic parents are undoubtedly at higher risk, today’s evidence makes one point clear: modern lifestyle plays an equally powerful role.

Both Dr Gupta and Dr Pandey agree that the future of managing childhood myopia lies in:

Balanced digital habits

Regular outdoor exposure

Nutritious diets

Routine eye exams

Awareness at both family and community levels

Parents cannot change their child’s genetics but they can change the daily habits that profoundly shape visual development.

Swati Chaturvedi

Swati Chaturvedi

Swati Chaturvedi is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience in journalism, digital content strategy, and editorial leadership across top national media houses. An alumna of Lady Shri Ram …Read More

Swati Chaturvedi is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience in journalism, digital content strategy, and editorial leadership across top national media houses. An alumna of Lady Shri Ram … Read More

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.



Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

Enhancing your health and lifestyle balance

Image Credit: Pexels Employees are returning to the office in numbers, and hybrid work arrangements are quickly becoming the new normal for many remote-capable workers. Many employers are scrambling to determine how to make hybrid work as engaging and productive as possible. A successful hybrid strategy relies on embracing what is effective, making adjustments to

Earn your trust

人與人之間的信任,尤其職場上,從來不會無緣無故衍生出來。 我經常說一句話,也是我的座右銘:「You have to earn your trust」(人家的信任,必須靠你自己賺取)。信任從不是無條件賦予的權利,必須通過能力、品格和一致性這三重考驗。 人際間的信任如同銀行戶口,必須先有儲蓄才能提取。職場中,下屬若渴望獲上司信任,不能在未證明自身價值前,就埋怨上司。首先需要檢視一下,自己有否準時完成任務?有否亮麗成績?有否主動解決問題?有否在壓力下保持穩定表現?是否守諾?是否在利益衝突時仍有品?是否願意承擔責任而非推諉過錯?這些細節決定了他人是否願意對你託付重任。這一切都是累積信任的具體行動。信任的建立需要無數次正確的選擇,但摧毁它只需一次失信。 反之亦然,上司要獲下屬信任,同樣需要「賺」回來,職場信任並非單向道。許多管理者誤以為職位權威自然伴隨下屬的忠誠,卻忽略了「上行下效」的道理。若上司只要求團隊效忠,自己卻朝令夕改、爭功諉過,或對下屬的貢獻視若無睹,只會引發表面順從與背後離心。真正令下屬信任的上司,懂得透過「公平決策」、「成熟溝通」與「賦權支持」來贏得團隊信任。 行走江湖,建立信任從不是靠「大龍鳳」一台戲建立出來,而是靠日常細微處呈現,例如:準時交貨、守時赴約、重視承諾、保持原則前後一致、言行一致等,用成果證明你值得被信任的價值。溝通也是緊要的,不能以為「他若是信我,毋須多講」又或「要解釋的話,即是不信我啦!那解釋都多餘」這是很錯的想法。作為上司,需要解釋決策背後的邏輯;作為下屬,要恒常和及時匯報進展與風險;雙方都應避免「信息黑箱」。 在這個充滿變數的職場環境中,與其質問「你為何不相信我」,不如反思「我做了甚麼值得被信任」。Earn your trust! Source link

Exploring Remote Travel Destinations: The World’s Most Isolated Places Across Norway, Chile, Yemen, Morocco and the South Atlantic

Home » Latest Travel News of Africa » Exploring Remote Travel Destinations: The World’s Most Isolated Places Across Norway, Chile, Yemen, Morocco and the South Atlantic Published on November 26, 2025 Across the planet, there exist landscapes where the stillness of nature has remained untouched for generations, and where the vastness of the horizon dominates

Healthy lifestyle support for three areas of West Midlands

Andy GiddingsWest Midlands Sport England Telford, Coventry and East Staffordshire will all benefit from the support Support and funding for schemes in three areas of the West Midlands that have the greatest health inequalities, has been announced by Sport England (SE). The body will be working in partnership with Energize in Telford, Think Active in

養唔熟

蔡康永說過:「不是所有人都值得你解釋,也不是所有人都配擁有你的情緒。」人最大的內耗,就是對不值得的人有過度的期望和幻想。 我們總以為真心換真心,那是最理想的情景,但世上有很多人不是這樣運作的。有些人,哪怕你對他做了十件好事,只要有一件事你做得不夠好,他會將之前你對他好的十件事,統統不留痕迹地從腦海刪掉,只聚焦在那一件你做得不太好的事上,即判你死刑。 又或有些人跟別人交往時,就是本能地以最大化自己利益為目的,有「so」(jetso)一種態度,無「so」則另一種面口。這些人,說白了,屬「養唔熟」質地,從人之水平來說,是原始級水平,根本未進化,無論是情人、朋友、家人或同事,但凡遇上這些人,走得好走、撇到好撇,離不開的話,至少不要令自己內耗。 不要以為將心比心,就必定能換取感動或感情,別忘了這世界有一些人,他們的認知天花板,根本裝不下你的真心。有些人質地屬「養唔熟」的原始級,極其量只配得起你的沉默和客氣,那就毋須對他們掏心掏肺了。 我們的情緒,是稀缺資源,不是所有人都配擁有你的情緒。情緒是能量,是創造力的源頭,你把它灑在石頭上,開不出花朵,只會蒸發成無謂的疲憊。要學識保護自己的情緒,對那些永遠在挑刺卻從不解決問題的人、對那些把別人的真誠當表演窗口的人、對那些盤算在你身上可獲取甚麼的人、對那些不懂欣賞和感恩別人一番厚愛的人,只需留下標準化的客氣就可以了。 這不是冷漠,而是「能量管理」——把最好的情緒和情感,留給能共同成長的夥伴,把最深的解釋留給願意看懂你的眼睛。 留一口真氣,才能暖該暖的心。這不是世故,是成年後最清醒的自愛。 Source link

假如沒有孩子

最近填了份家長問卷,其中「家長壓力量表」,問受訪者是否同意以下: 「有了子女,我便在沒有時間做其他事」、「有了子女,我人生失去了很多機會」、「如果沒有子女,我的經濟狀況會更佳」、「如果可以重新選擇,我會決定不生兒育女」。 我個人當然是非常不同意這些說法。但是,似乎有許多為人父母的,都喜歡把這些話掛在嘴邊。 一位我很欣賞的親子作家,揶揄這些父母:「有些人常說,假如沒有小孩,自己絕對會青春美麗又事業有成,最起碼比現在自由快樂。每次看到我都會想:這到底是哪來的自信呢?」 她說得真對。我們大部分都是平庸普通的人;即使沒有生小孩,大概外表、事業、財富和階層,依然跟現在差不多吧,也說不定更糟糕!對於不可能從頭來過的事情,根本沒法比較;這些人「要是沒有孩子就能心想事成」的想法,實在是一廂情願。 真相是,他們只是把自己未能實現的夢想,都怪罪在小孩身上;以小孩為藉口,去掩飾他們生活中的不如意。 細思極恐。如果你是這些家長的孩子,自小就會從你父母的言行之中,以為自己是個「拖累了父母的人」;這種原生家庭的創傷,對孩子是最殘忍的。 孩子潛意識深信自己的存在是個錯誤,認為不配被愛。一個「缺愛」和自卑的孩子,在人生路上定然會作出許多錯誤的抉擇,影響深遠。將來若要克服心理關口、學習愛護和珍惜自己,是一個非常漫長和艱難的過程。 那麼,作為家長,應該抱有甚麼心態呢?與其不成熟地幻想「假如沒有孩子,我就會很有錢」,倒不如撫心自問:我想要甚麼?我要過怎樣的生活?然後由這一刻開始,鼓起勇氣去追求、成為理想中的自己;不論如何,都不要把失敗的原因,推卸在無辜的孩子身上。 Source link

Best places to see the northern lights around the world – and when

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email One of the world’s most famous natural sights, the northern lights attract people to areas around the Arctic in hopes of seeing the rare display. Caused by the redirection of particles

7 of the best places to visit in Finland in 2026

Finland may not appear as regularly on the tourism wish-list as European heavyweights such as Spain or Italy, but its ability to cater to vastly different types of tourism means that it will inevitably start popping up on the radar. Few countries on the continent can cater to beach holidays, northern lights excursions, island hopping

坐骨神經痛

友人M忽然有天起床下半身就痛到走不動,連駕車也成問題。他百思不得其解,又沒跌過撞過,為何突然痛到動彈不得? 近來不少朋友都抱怨坐骨神經痛,從臀部到大腿後側,時或延伸到小腿和腳底,那種刺痛、無力感覺,可以很煎熬。很多人一聽到「坐骨神經痛」,就直覺認為是神經出了問題,但其實根源往往在盆骨深層肌肉–梨狀肌。 梨狀肌位於臀部深層,負責穩定髖關節,協助大腿外轉。而坐骨神經正好從梨狀肌的下方經過。當我們長時間坐着,尤其姿勢不正確時,梨狀肌會因持續受壓變得緊繃,甚至發炎腫脹。這塊肌肉一旦緊到變硬,會直接壓迫下方的坐骨神經,引發連串類似神經發炎徵狀。 換言之,問題未必是神經本身,而是盤骨深層的梨狀肌「作怪」。久坐,正是讓梨狀肌「失控」的元兇。現代人無論是辦公、開車,還是回家後窩在沙發上看電視,一天坐着的時間動輒超過八至十小時。長時間保持同一姿勢,不僅令梨狀肌受壓,更會導致臀部肌肉乏力,進一步加劇問題。 避免久坐,首先要養成「動態坐姿」的習慣,每十五至二十分鐘微調坐姿–稍微前傾、後靠或交替將重心移至左右兩側,讓臀部肌肉輪流休息。同時,選擇一張有承托力的椅子,必要時加個腰墊,減輕盤骨壓力。 其次,設定「起身提示」。利用手機或電腦設置定時提醒,每小時至少起身活動兩至三分鐘。簡單如走去倒杯水、原地踏步或伸展雙腿,已能有效放鬆梨狀肌。記住,持續的「靜態姿勢」才是大敵。 此外,每天抽五至十分鐘做些簡單的臀部伸展動作。例如「翹腳拉筋」:坐着時將一邊腳外踝放到另一邊膝蓋上,身體輕輕前傾,感覺臀部有拉扯感,維持二十至三十秒,左右腳輪流做,能有效紓緩梨狀肌緊繃。 歸根究柢,坐骨神經痛很多時是生活習慣的警號。莫等痛楚出現才求醫,不如從今天起,多做預防措施,別讓梨狀肌在不知不覺間「背叛」了你。 Source link

Mushrooms may reduce triglycerides and support heart health, study finds

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A new scientific review suggests that mushrooms may offer more than just low-calorie nutrition. A group of authors analyzed human studies to see whether eating mushrooms could improve markers of heart, metabolic and immune health. Mushrooms are fungi but often counted as vegetables. They are also an

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x