What is the reason for the increasing number of young presbyopia cases?

It's November, and temperatures are now dropping below freezing.

Although it's autumn, the weather feels more like winter these days. Did everyone dress warmly for work?

To all the office workers who grapple with computers for over 9 hours a day, and to all the university students studying hard, you've all worked hard today :)

Apparently, there are a few common ailments among modern people.

Some notable examples include young presbyopia, 'turtle neck' syndrome (forward head posture), and stress.

Among these, let's delve into young presbyopia with Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic.

Young presbyopia???

Isn't presbyopia an age-related eye condition?

That's right.

Originally, presbyopia is a symptom that appears as the eyes age along with the body.

However, the age at which this symptom appears is getting younger and younger, affecting young people,

which is why it's called ‘young presbyopia’.

When you look from a close object to a distant one, just like a camera adjusts its focus,

your eyes also have muscle power that adjusts the thickness of the lens to focus.

What happens when this muscle power gradually diminishes?

You lose the ability to adjust focus, and consequently, close objects or text become difficult to see. This symptom is presbyopia.

I remember my grandmother reading me fairy tales when I was little.

I often saw her squinting and holding the book further away after reading for a while.

As a child, I thought, ‘Is she sick?’ or ‘Why did she stop reading?’

I had these thoughts, but looking back as an adult, I realized it was presbyopia.

In 2020, various companies are continuously releasing different smartphones every year,

and computers and laptops come in diverse designs and performances.

Before we knew it, we are living in a present where we can even pay for things with our smartphones,

a future we dreamed of as children has become a reality.

Landline phones in every home have been replaced by smartphones with individual numbers,

and electronic devices have taken over all mediums for studying, working, and even communicating with acquaintances.

This sweet convenience of living in such a world is only temporary,

as dark diseases lurk behind it.

How much do you use your small smartphone every day?

Just looking at my friends in their 20s and 30s, the expression ‘living with a smartphone’ is quite fitting,

as many people stare at their phones all day long.

Since we use both eyes in our daily lives, many people don't notice when their vision deteriorates.

Moreover, when vision deteriorates, there isn't usually severe pain or obvious symptoms,

so there are people who continue their daily lives unchanged without realizing they have young presbyopia.

It's important to visit an ophthalmologist at least once a year for a detailed examination to check the condition of your eyes.

This is because presbyopia is no longer a symptom that applies only to the elderly and middle-aged.

Electronic devices are one reason for the surge in young presbyopia, but diet is another!

Are you eating balanced meals?

Most modern people, busy with work and studies, often fill a meal with something simple.

They might have filled their stomachs with instant foods like hamburgers and hot dogs, and fast food,

but a lack of nutrients affects vision.

It's important to consume a variety of foods, such as:

• Green and yellow vegetables rich in Vitamin A, like spinach, carrots, and broccoli.
• Oily fish rich in Omega-3.
• Sweet and sour blueberries rich in anthocyanins.

Food is considered one of the important factors affecting internal organs throughout the body,

so paying attention to what you eat can also be a way to prevent young presbyopia, right?

The days of simply dismissing eye fatigue as nothing serious...

It's important to properly check if young presbyopia is progressing.

Because once vision deteriorates, it's hard to improve it again.

I've written this post to raise your awareness!

This was Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic :)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is young presbyopia?

Young presbyopia refers to the phenomenon where presbyopia, an age-related eye condition, appears in younger age groups. It is a symptom where the eye's ability to adjust focus decreases when looking from a close object to a distant one, making close objects or text difficult to see.

What are the main causes of the increase in young presbyopia?

The main causes of the increase in young presbyopia are excessive use of electronic devices and unbalanced dietary habits. It is commonly observed in modern individuals who use smartphones and computers for long periods and consume diets primarily consisting of instant foods.

How can young presbyopia be prevented?

To prevent young presbyopia, regular eye examinations and maintaining a balanced diet are crucial. It is recommended to consume green and yellow vegetables rich in Vitamin A, oily fish containing Omega-3, and blueberries rich in anthocyanins.

What should I do if I experience symptoms of young presbyopia?

If you suspect symptoms of young presbyopia, it is important to visit an ophthalmologist for a detailed examination at least once a year. Since vision loss is difficult to reverse once it progresses, early detection and management are necessary.

What foods are good for young presbyopia?

Foods good for young presbyopia include green and yellow vegetables rich in Vitamin A, such as spinach, carrots, and broccoli; oily fish containing Omega-3; and blueberries rich in anthocyanins. It is important to consume nutrients through a balanced diet.