Kita Tanpa Sadar Sedang Dilanda Epidemi Baru

Summary

The video explores the global rise of nearsightedness (myopia), with the World Health Organization predicting that nearly half of the world's population could suffer from it by 2050. The primary causes include reduced exposure to sunlight and excessive near-distance activities like screen use. Myopia is more prevalent in East Asia, where high academic pressure leads to long hours indoors. The pandemic exacerbated the issue, especially in Hong Kong. Solutions discussed include encouraging outdoor activities and modifying classrooms to increase sunlight exposure, as well as taking simple steps like spending time under trees to protect eye health.

Takeaways

• 😀 Myopia (nearsightedness) is becoming a global epidemic, with one-third of the world affected by it in 2020 and projections indicating it may reach half of the population by 2050.
• 😀 A key factor contributing to myopia is insufficient exposure to sunlight, which affects the growth of the eye and can lead to longer eyeballs, causing blurry vision.
• 😀 Spending time outdoors and exposing the eyes to natural light helps prevent myopia by stimulating hormones that control eye growth.
• 😀 Extended close-up activities, like watching TV, reading, or using phones, put strain on the eyes and can cause them to elongate, leading to myopia.
• 😀 The rise of myopia cases is particularly high in Asia-Pacific countries like China, where long hours of indoor study and minimal outdoor activity are common among children and adults.
• 😀 In China, over 90% of teenagers and adults suffer from myopia, a significant increase compared to 10-20% in the 1950s.
• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the myopia problem in places like Hong Kong, with cases doubling in children, particularly those aged 6, due to increased screen time and less outdoor activity.
• 😀 Some schools in China have started modifying classrooms to allow more sunlight by adding more windows to counter the increase in myopia cases.
• 😀 Engaging in outdoor activities for at least 11 hours per week can significantly reduce the risk of developing myopia in children.
• 😀 It's not necessary to be directly under harsh sunlight to protect eyes; even shaded outdoor activities, like staying under a tree, can provide sufficient exposure to sunlight to prevent myopia.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is the global rise in myopia (nearsightedness) and the factors contributing to it, such as excessive screen time and lack of sunlight exposure, along with preventive measures.

What causes myopia to develop?

Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long, causing light from distant objects to focus in front of the retina instead of on it, leading to blurred vision. Lack of sunlight exposure and prolonged close-up activities are key contributors.

How does sunlight exposure relate to myopia?

Sunlight exposure triggers the production of hormones that help regulate eye growth. Insufficient sunlight, especially in children, can result in excessive growth of the eyeball, contributing to myopia.

Why does looking at objects close up worsen myopia?

Looking at objects close up strains the eye muscles, causing the eyes to focus intensely. Over time, this can lead to permanent elongation of the eyeball, worsening myopia.

How does education and lifestyle contribute to myopia in countries like China?

In countries like China, the high educational demands lead children to spend long hours indoors studying, where they focus on close-up tasks like reading or writing, and have limited exposure to sunlight, increasing the risk of developing myopia.

What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on myopia rates?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of time children spent indoors increased, leading to a sharp rise in myopia cases. In Hong Kong, for example, the number of children with elongated eyeballs doubled compared to pre-pandemic levels.

What measures are being taken to reduce myopia in schools?

In China, some schools have started redesigning classrooms with more windows to allow greater sunlight exposure, which is believed to help reduce the risk of myopia in students.

How much outdoor activity is recommended to prevent myopia?

Research suggests that children who spend at least 11 hours per week outdoors are less likely to develop myopia, as outdoor activities expose them to natural sunlight.

Does the type of sunlight exposure matter for preventing myopia?

The intensity of sunlight exposure doesn't need to be extreme. Even spending time in shaded areas, like under trees, can provide enough sunlight to help prevent the development of myopia.

What can people who already wear glasses do to prevent worsening myopia?

For those already wearing glasses, it's important to continue engaging in outdoor activities and ensure adequate sunlight exposure to prevent further worsening of their myopia and avoid the need for stronger prescriptions.