Why More People Use Glasses Today

 

Olufayo Omolayo

"Over 4 billion people across the globe wear glasses. Half of the planet will require glasses by 2050. In 2021, the United States was the leading eyewear market across the globe." 

- Nightglasses.com

It is not uncommon to see at least 3/5 in a classroom wearing the popular "four eyes", as it is comically called. Actually about 826 million people have unaddressed presbyopia (long sightedness). You might wonder why is this number increasing frequently. They are due to very obvious reasons, out of which one will be a major focus in this article. Kindly follow through.

You know you enjoy that your favourite K-drama episode on your smartphone or laptop or unending scrolling on TikTok and Instagram, like you want to get to the end of the feed (if that is even possible...lol). Another analogy that might encapsulate this point is that chat with your significant other. You take the phone to the toilet, kitchen, classroom, church, mosque etc.

Do you know how much damage you are doing to your eye through these various daily activities?

According to Howerton Eye Clinic, "High energy visible light, also known as blue rays, are produced by digital devices and easily enter your eyes, thus increasing the risk of eye problems. This light has lead to a condition known as “digital eye strain” or “computer vision syndrome”. Computer vision syndrome is the visual discomfort you experience after watching TV or using tablets/ smartphones for an extended time. Common issues include sore eyes, Dry Eye Syndrome, headaches, and nausea" 

Other Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome include:

Eye irritation (Dry eyes, itchy eyes, red eyes), Blurred vision, Backaches, Neck aches, Muscle fatigue.

It is disturbing to see many people's phones have a high brightness level (especially people in their 50's). This is why chances are, that more people will use glasses and other optical aids in a couple of years.

What's the best thing to do?

Practice Scheduled screentime. 

Have a tracker or timer to help restrain you from over staring in your phone. If possible inform friends and family to help you break free from this somewhat addiction. 

Stop binge watching movies. 

For those who can see an entire seasonal movie in one night, you are damaging your lenses and this increases your chances of having myopia earlier than the ages when these illnesses are supposed show up.

Practice reading hardcopy books instead of Soft copy books all the time. 

Hardcopy books restrict the level of distractions from soft copy books unlike if you were on a smartphone.

Try a device fast

Attempt this for a couple of hours in a day or a couple of days in a week, if you're really struggling to do without your phone. Think about the possibility of what you can achieve without some toxic exposure for a short period.

Finally, not only are you saving yourself when you save your health, you are also saving your unborn children because eye problems are sometimes passed on in extreme cases. To those who have the perspective that wearing glasses is fashionable and wear it often without an optical condition, do a quick interview asking those who do if they enjoy doing that every morning. Maybe then, you'll be grateful of your natural eye sight.