When it comes to life, we’re all generally scared of diseases like cancer, problems like osteoporosis and dangers like Ebola. But there is no significant concern over vision problems like nearsightedness or farsightedness. After all, glasses became the cure for impaired vision and they allow us to enjoy our daily activities without much discomfort from blurriness. Yet, the number of eye patients have increased over the years, especially for young kids. And thus the importance of optometry and eye care have become the hottest topic of research and debate today.

Blurriness and imperfect vision have been present most of history; of course, our forefathers didn’t recognize the problem then, but with sophisticated technology the early 1900’s brought light to the issue. And then the question comes as to how it arises and what causes it, which is a “complicated combination of environment and genetics,” according to Dr. Katherine Randolph, OD of Caris Eye Centers.

It begins with a proper understanding of myopia, commonly referred to as nearsightedness, which defines improper refraction of light in the eye pupil that makes it difficult for seeing faraway objects. Myopia has “increased in the past fifty years,” with 33% of American patients in 2009 compared to the 25% in the 1980’s. And although it’s not an “astronomic increase,” there has been an upward trend toward more myopia, according to Dr.Randolph, with a prediction that by 2050, one-half of the world’s population will become myopic.

Today, the prevalence is greatly shown in kids, with 20-25% of teens wearing glasses, subject to very high powers before reaching adulthood.

“And parents come to my office every day to ask how to solve this, how to help their child, etc.,” the optometrist explains, expressing how her answer shows no fine line yet because theories are still in experimentation. But there are some common ground facts.

The greatest factor in vision problems is genetics, with vision coding genes passed down to kids whose parents have are nearsighted. Statistics show that the probability of children getting glasses is “up to 60% likely if both parents have myopia.” Heredity “obviously cannot be manipulated” to an extent of curing vision issues; The increases can be partially reasoned with this factor as the growing population builds upon myopic parents passing down genes.

Yet imperfect vision seems to have “a faster increase than genetics alone,” continues Dr. Randolph. Actually, just this year, six huge organizations of optometrists and ophthalmologists joined with the FDA to study myopia control and its increases. And they’ve discovered some things so far correlating the side effects of increased technology.

It has long been correlated that the more near work that we do, the higher the risk for nearsighted. In addition to this longstanding knowledge, our tablets, computers, and electronic devices emit blue light, “which can cause more eye fatigue.” Dr. Randolph explains that studies have shown that blue light disturbs sleep cycles, and research is currently underway to see what, if any, role it plays in the progression of nearsightedness. And today’s world, starting from schools, is encouraging the use of smart devices, which could be a part of why kids are getting glasses so early on.

Furthermore, today’s kids are working behind desks for eight hours minimum; there’s definitely more probability for eye strain.

So when Dr. Randolph answers her worried parents, she tells them the best at this stage:

The biggest advice: “I would give is to take care of your body, because what’s beneficial for the body is also good for the eyes.” She references how increased time outside can help keep kids healthy but also help their eyes relax more. Studying and working for hours behind textbooks and homework “strains our vision. This doesn't mean ‘don’t study, at all,’” but that some eye relaxation was important. And some research suggests that “time outdoors is beneficial” to help reduce the incidence of nearsightedness.

The organizational workshop is still researching because vision is a ‘complex formula of genetics and environment.” And it’s apparently worse in other countires, with 90% teens with nearsightedness in certain parts of Asia. It’s definitely a global phenomenon, only one not so epidemic in calamities. But the increases in children getting glasses at such small ages does seek light to the mystery behind the topic.

“We know how to treat Glaucoma, Amblyopia, and Diabetic Retinopathy,” Dr.Randolph concludes, “but when it comes to simple myopia, prevention is still unknown.” It’s the hottest debate out there today, and although not a big issue for a child, his/her glasses is the center of speculation and wonder.