Explainer | Is too much screen time for Hong Kong children causing short-sightedness? The Post takes a closer look at the city’s increasing myopia rate
- Myopia cases on the rise among Hong Kong children aged six to eight, hitting record high amid Covid-19 pandemic, university study finds
- Experts say contributing factors such as increased usage of electronic devices and less time outdoors still continuing despite return to classrooms after pandemic
The Post takes a deeper look at the causes behind the growing prevalence of myopia among youngsters and what families can do to prevent the condition from worsening.
How prevalent is myopia among youngsters?
A Chinese University study found the proportion of children aged six to eight in the city suffering from nearsightedness reached a record high of 36.2 per cent between March and December 2021, when the city eased some pandemic restrictions and face-to-face classes were being held.
Researchers studied the prevalence of the condition across three periods in 2015 to 2021.
The rate stood at 23.8 per cent from 2015 to 2019 and gradually rose to 28.8 per cent between the start of the pandemic in 2020 and February 2021 when stringent restrictions were in place, such as the closure of school campuses.
The figures showed cases increased significantly among 6-year-olds during the pandemic, almost doubling to 25.2 per cent in 2021 from the pre-Covid level of 13.9 per cent.
What are the contributing factors?
Dr Jason Yam Cheuk-sing, the study’s lead author and an associate professor at the university’s department of ophthalmology and visual sciences, said factors such as less time outdoors, changes in reading habits and more screen usage had contributed to the increase.
“Our lifestyles have changed. Even after the end of the pandemic, our lifestyles did not return to those of pre-Covid times,” he said.
The researchers behind the study also warned that the prevalence of myopia could remain high in the future.
Why have pandemic habits continued?
Langton Cheung Yung-pong, the honorary chairman of the Aided Primary School Heads Association, said the pandemic had accelerated the development of digital learning, a practice that was already encouraged by schools and authorities.
“After the pandemic, schools will not backtrack after the digital learning platforms have been established,” he said. “There are no longer online classes … but classes still feature lots of digital learning platforms that require the use of computers.”
Cheung said some schools required pupils to read an online article written in Chinese everyday to build up their comprehension skills.
But he added the increase in screen time was not entirely because of studies, as schools typically limited the number of hours of digital learning and many children used electronic devices when travelling or eating out.
Cheung also highlighted the habit of devices being used as “electronic pacifiers” to keep children quiet, potentially contributing to myopia rates.
Are similar trends being reported elsewhere?
An increase in the prevalence of myopia among children during the pandemic was also reported in other places.
A study by mainland Chinese researchers in 2021 found the rate of nearsightedness accelerated amid a period of pandemic lockdowns and receded after the restrictions were eased.
Academics in South Korea also published a paper in the same year that pointed to a substantial increase in the progression of the condition during the pandemic.
What can parents and children do?
Yam encouraged parents to increase the time children spent outdoors to two hours a day and promote good reading habits.
He said good practice included not reading for more than 30 minutes at a time and keeping the eyes at least 30cm (11.8 inches) from the book or device.
Yam added reading in a dark environment should be avoided and that desk and ceiling lights should be kept on while reading.
Additional reporting by Harvey Kong
