Join the 20-20-2 Rule
If we do nothing, myopia will be the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment by 2050. Once vision is lost, it cannot be restored. Experts are sounding the alarm and calling on the entire country to make the 20-20-2 rule a part of children’s upbringing. It is especially recommended that children who rely on one eye follow the 20-20-2 rule.
Cause
A lack of natural light is the main cause, and frequent close-up activities during early childhood contribute to the development of severe nearsightedness. Children are spending more and more time on cell phones and tablets and playing less outdoors. It is therefore no surprise that the number of nearsighted children is rising worldwide. A child’s eye adapts to frequent close-up viewing and becomes elongated, making it harder to see things far away. And there are no glasses or treatments that can prevent or cure myopia.
Consequences
The eye develops during childhood, but the real problems usually don’t arise until later in life. Complications occur primarily in people with high myopia (eyeglass prescription of -6 or higher). This increases the risk of severe vision loss. Most cases are due to myopic macular degeneration, but these individuals are also at higher risk for retinal detachment and glaucoma.
Prevention 20-20-2
The Eye Fund calls on everyone to take responsibility for children and young people who do not fully understand the consequences and recommends following this guideline: after 20 minutes of close-up viewing, take a 20-second break to look into the distance, and spend at least 2 hours a day outdoors.
This rule of thumb is also recommended for adults who see with only one eye.
