Senile Eye Disease 'Baeknaejang' Also Affects Teenagers [Taking Care of MZ Generation Health]

Increased Use of Video Devices Causes Eye Aging, Myopia, and Systemic Diseases

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Kim Dong-hoon (18), who visited an ophthalmologist due to sudden vision loss and blurred sight, was surprised by the doctor's diagnosis. Although he thought it was severe dry eye syndrome, he was diagnosed with cataracts. Kim, who has a history of atopy, had cataracts advanced enough to require surgery.

Cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma?commonly known as age-related eye diseases?are rarely appearing in younger age groups as well. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, 1,920 patients aged 10 to 29 received treatment for "other cataracts" last year.

The main reason for the decreasing onset age of age-related eye diseases is the acceleration of ocular aging. The biggest cause of ocular aging is prolonged use of visual devices such as smartphones. Additionally, the increasing population with myopia and dry eye syndrome is advancing the onset age of age-related eye diseases, and the influence of other existing diseases also plays a role. Thanks to fundus examinations conducted during pre-vision correction tests or health checkups, early detection of eye diseases is also increasing.

Cataracts are a condition where the lens becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision. Lens opacity can accelerate due to intraocular inflammation or underlying diseases, and can occur regardless of age. A representative eye disease associated with atopic dermatitis is cataracts, which are known to occur and progress rapidly in younger individuals. Long-term steroid use also increases the likelihood of cataract development, and studies show that patients with high myopia experience early onset of cataracts.

Besides atopy, the retina is greatly affected by systemic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as high myopia. Diabetic patients suffer damage to the retinal capillaries due to persistent high blood sugar, leading to ischemic damage and neovascularization throughout the retina. This can cause diabetic retinopathy, which may result in blindness. Atopy can cause retinal damage due to friction from severe rubbing around the eyes caused by itching, potentially leading to retinal tears or retinal detachment.

Patients with high myopia often have weaker retinas and optic nerves than normal individuals, making them prone to various retinal diseases that cause vision loss, such as myopic macular degeneration and retinal tears. Environmental changes, including excessive use of visual devices, have led to an increase in young patients with high myopia. High myopia patients are also known to be vulnerable to glaucoma.

Experts advise that even those in their teens to thirties should follow proper lifestyle habits and undergo regular ophthalmologic checkups to maintain healthy eyes. To prevent ocular aging, it is recommended to maintain a balanced diet, avoid smoking and alcohol, and block ultraviolet rays during outdoor activities. When using visual devices such as smartphones for extended periods, frequent breaks are necessary. If the area around the eyes is itchy, avoid rubbing; instead, gently press or wash with cold water to minimize friction. Regular ophthalmologic examinations, including fundus exams, can help detect eye abnormalities early.

Dr. Park Sae-mi, a specialist at Kim Eye Hospital's Retina Center, stated, "Due to social environmental changes such as excessive use of visual devices, age-related eye diseases are appearing even in younger age groups. Since glaucoma and retinal diseases significantly affect visual prognosis when detected early, people with systemic diseases or high myopia should receive regular ophthalmologic checkups including fundus examinations and cultivate proper lifestyle habits."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.