COVID‐19, sweat, tears… and myopia?

Navel, Valentin; Beze, Steven; Dutheil, Frédéric

doi:10.1111/cxo.13086

Cited by 28 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…In order to minimize learning disruptions and to resume proper functioning of educational activities, more than 60 educational systems have elected to partially re-open schools by offering online remote instruction and supplementary digital learning modalities [ 2 ]. While replacing print textbooks with e-learning arrangements and swapping in-person classroom teaching with online video conferencing provides reasonable and timely solutions to deal with challenges of pandemic-led school closures, the adverse vision consequences associated with these ad hoc emergency and crisis arrangements may be substantial [ 3 ], especially considering new eye-use routines during the pandemic and its consequent behavioral implications for young children whose sensory function is going through critical development [ 4 ]. Notably, the current global increase in myopia, which is a major factor contributing to irreversible blindness, has become a leading public health concern.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Student Health Implications of School Closures during the COVID-19 Pandemic: New Evidence on the Association of e-Learning, Outdoor Exercise, and Myopia

Liu

Chen

et al. 2021

Healthcare

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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced many education systems to consider alternative remote e-learning modalities, which have consequential behavioral and health implications for youth. In particular, increased e-learning engagement with digital screens and reduction in outdoor activities are two likely channels posing adverse risks for myopia development. This study investigated the association between e-learning screen use, outdoor activity, lighting condition, and myopia development among school-age children in China, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from 3405 school-age children attending primary, lower-secondary, and upper-secondary schools in China. Univariate parametric and nonparametric tests, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used. Findings show that each diopter hour increase in daily e-learning screen use is significantly associated with progression of myopia symptoms (OR: 1.074, 95% CI: 1.058–1.089; p < 0.001), whereas engaging in outdoor exercise four to six times per week (OR: 0.745, 95% CI: 0.568–0.977; p = 0.034) and one to three times per week (OR: 0.829, 95% CI: 0.686–0.991; p = 0.048) is associated with a lower likelihood of myopia progression than none at all. In addition, we found that indoor lighting that is either “too dim” (OR: 1.686, 95% CI: 1.226–2.319; p = 0.001) or “too bright” (OR: 1.529, 95% CI: 1.007–2.366; p = 0.036) is significantly associated higher likelihood of myopic symptoms. Findings in this study uncover the less observable vision consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on youths through digital online learning and highlight the importance of considering appropriate mitigation strategies to deal with this emerging public health challenge.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Student Health Implications of School Closures during the COVID-19 Pandemic: New Evidence on the Association of e-Learning, Outdoor Exercise, and Myopia

Liu

Chen

et al. 2021

Healthcare

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“…Willcox et al 30 review the literature and evaluate evidence for the ocular surface as a route of COVID-19 infection. In a letter to the editor, Navel et al 31 speculate whether there might be a link between COVID-19 and myopia pandemics, due to enforced time spent indoors (more near work/screen time and less exposure to sunlight). The capacity for a clear acrylic (plexiglass) slitlamp shield to reduce droplet exposure is explored by Murnain et al 32…”

Section: Important Role Of the Journalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optometry in times of pandemic: Spanish flu (1919) versus COVID‐19 (2020)

Efron

Efron²

2020

Clinical and Experimental Optometry

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“…We thank Navel et al 1 for their discussion of the possible association between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and myopia. Presently, COVID-19 is associated with substantial mortality and morbidity, putting strains on communities and health-care systems alike.…”

Section: Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Apart from issues relating to learning style as highlighted by Navel et al, 1 other lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep and psychological health may also be related to myopia and therefore impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there is no conclusive evidence of a particular diet influencing the development of myopia, the association between diet and myopia is a rising concern.…”

Section: Editormentioning

confidence: 99%