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According to statistics from the Bureau of National Health Insurance, the number of young patients undergoing surgery for cataracts has doubled compared to two years ago, with 30% of them being high myopia patients. Ophthalmologists indicate that high myopia accelerates the degeneration of the eyeball, leading to conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma.
Lin Hongyu, convener of the Refractive and Cataract Surgery Committee of the Ophthalmological Society of the Republic of China and director of ophthalmology at the Show Chwan Health Care System, stated that eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma, which used to occur in people aged 50 or 60, are now increasingly common among those in their 40s, primarily due to high myopia.
Ms. Lin, 47, was born with hereditary myopia. As she grew older, her myopia worsened, reaching nearly 1000 degrees by her 30s. In November last year, she experienced blurred vision and was diagnosed with severe cataracts and glaucoma in both eyes, requiring surgical treatment.
Lin Hongyu pointed out that Ms. Lin is a typical case of high myopia complicated by glaucoma and cataracts. After replacing her intraocular lens, her vision improved significantly, but she still needs to continue follow-up treatments.
Lai Huichuan, director of ophthalmology at Mackay Memorial Hospital, noted that high myopia and the misuse of steroid drugs are the main reasons for the decline in vision health among Taiwanese, with complications including degenerative diseases, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration.
Statistics show that 20% of the population in Taiwan suffers from high myopia of over 600 degrees. The degeneration of the eyeball in people with high myopia is 50 to 100 times faster than in normal eyes. Moreover, the myopia of first to third-grade elementary school students in Taiwan increases by 100 to 125 degrees annually.
Lin Hongyu mentioned that some young patients have already developed cataracts, with their vision becoming foggy. High myopia-induced cataracts cause the core part of the lens to thicken. If the degree of myopia increases rapidly in a short period among young and middle-aged people, they should be vigilant. It is advisable to develop a habit of monthly self-examinations of eye health.
In light of the increasing number of young cataract patients, the Ophthalmological Society has proposed an "Eye Health Vision Passbook," encouraging the public to develop a habit of regular monthly eye health check-ups. Practices such as avoiding excessive eye strain, maintaining a regular schedule with weekly exercise, and taking a 10-minute break every hour when using a computer are good habits for preserving eye health.
To raise public awareness of proper vision care, the Ministry of Education, the Bureau of Health Promotion, the Taipei City Government, and the Rotary Club will host the "National Eye Care Month, Ten Thousand People Eye Care Mountain Hike" event on the morning of October 18 at Fude Elementary School in Xinyi District, Taipei. The public is invited to participate, step outdoors, and invest in good vision!
Source: http://health. chinatimes. com/ contents. aspx? cid=1,18& id=2902
High Myopia Triggers Cataracts: Sudden Increase in Nearsightedness Demands Caution
Lin Hongyu, convener of the Refractive and Cataract Surgery Committee of the Ophthalmological Society of the Republic of China and director of ophthalmology at the Show Chwan Health Care System, stated that eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma, which used to occur in people aged 50 or 60, are now increasingly common among those in their 40s, primarily due to high myopia.
Ms. Lin, 47, was born with hereditary myopia. As she grew older, her myopia worsened, reaching nearly 1000 degrees by her 30s. In November last year, she experienced blurred vision and was diagnosed with severe cataracts and glaucoma in both eyes, requiring surgical treatment.
Lin Hongyu pointed out that Ms. Lin is a typical case of high myopia complicated by glaucoma and cataracts. After replacing her intraocular lens, her vision improved significantly, but she still needs to continue follow-up treatments.
Lai Huichuan, director of ophthalmology at Mackay Memorial Hospital, noted that high myopia and the misuse of steroid drugs are the main reasons for the decline in vision health among Taiwanese, with complications including degenerative diseases, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration.
Statistics show that 20% of the population in Taiwan suffers from high myopia of over 600 degrees. The degeneration of the eyeball in people with high myopia is 50 to 100 times faster than in normal eyes. Moreover, the myopia of first to third-grade elementary school students in Taiwan increases by 100 to 125 degrees annually.
Lin Hongyu mentioned that some young patients have already developed cataracts, with their vision becoming foggy. High myopia-induced cataracts cause the core part of the lens to thicken. If the degree of myopia increases rapidly in a short period among young and middle-aged people, they should be vigilant. It is advisable to develop a habit of monthly self-examinations of eye health.
In light of the increasing number of young cataract patients, the Ophthalmological Society has proposed an "Eye Health Vision Passbook," encouraging the public to develop a habit of regular monthly eye health check-ups. Practices such as avoiding excessive eye strain, maintaining a regular schedule with weekly exercise, and taking a 10-minute break every hour when using a computer are good habits for preserving eye health.
To raise public awareness of proper vision care, the Ministry of Education, the Bureau of Health Promotion, the Taipei City Government, and the Rotary Club will host the "National Eye Care Month, Ten Thousand People Eye Care Mountain Hike" event on the morning of October 18 at Fude Elementary School in Xinyi District, Taipei. The public is invited to participate, step outdoors, and invest in good vision!
Source: http://health. chinatimes. com/ contents. aspx? cid=1,18& id=2902