Myopia is a rapidly worsening public health problem in Singapore. Surveys have indicated that myopia afflicts 25% of 7 year olds, 33% of 9 year olds, 50% of 12 year olds and more than 80% of 18 year old males in Singapore.
Cause of myopiaWe still do not have a complete explanation for the development of myopia. There is certainly a genetic factor which makes certain people (and ethnic groups) more susceptible to the development of myopia. However, this does not explain the rapid increase in the prevalence of myopia in Singapore over the last 3 generations. The gene pool has not changed, but the prevalence of myopia has accelerated rapidly. This strongly suggests that environmental influences interacting with the genes have played a major role.
A recent study in America suggested that leaving the lights on at night when babies were asleep might have predisposed them to developing myopia. We have also been able to induce myopia in chicks, tree shrews and monkeys simply by manipulating their visual environment. This is further evidence of the major role played by the environment. Whilst we cannot yet pinpoint the exact environmental factor, it is quite likely that this is related to the heavy amount of reading and near work our children are exposed to, which is certainly much higher than that in the past. (http://www.snec.com.sg/eye/myopia.asp#1)
And yes, Kai belongs to the 33% of 9 year old males in Singapore and yes, he reads heavily.
After we came home from US, Kai's school had a health check-up for the the kids in school and immediately, he was diagnosed to have myopia. An eye check-up followed and he is now Mr Specky!
Hmmm...looks more like Mr Intellectual
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