DIGITAL DILEMMA: Children engrossed in screens are at risk of developing vision issues like myopia and eye strain.

• Malaysian children are experiencing rising rates of vision problems due to extended screen time and reduced outdoor activities

• Regular eye checks are crucial for early detection, even if children do not show obvious symptoms

• Proper nutrition is vital for maintaining eye health, with specific nutrients playing key roles in visual development

Vision problems are becoming increasingly common among Malaysian children, yet many remain undiagnosed until they start affecting behaviour, school performance or overall development. A recent study found that 22.3 per cent of Malaysian children have some form of visual impairment, with more than half of these cases linked to treatable causes.

Sunway Medical Centre Velocity ' s( SMCV) Consultant Ophthalmologist, Paediatric Ophthalmologist and Strabismus Surgeon, Dr Fiona Chew Lee Min, said most of these cases stem from refractive error. In this condition, light is not focused correctly on the eye due to the shape of the eyeball, resulting in blurry vision.

" Myopia( near-sightedness) and astigmatism( a common condition that distorts vision) are the most common refractive errors in Malaysian children, and both are becoming increasingly prevalent," she noted. She reminds parents to prioritise regular vision checks, even when there are no apparent symptoms.

UNDERSTANDING REFRACTIVE ERRORS IN CHILDREN

Nearly one in two Malaysian children is affected by refractive errors, with a local study reporting a prevalence of 47.8 per cent. Myopia affects 30.2 per cent and occurs when light focuses in front of the retina, causing distant objects to appear blurry.

Dr Fiona Chew Lee Min