Myopia, or short-sightedness, is an eye condition in which near objects are seen more clearly than objects that are far away.

People with myopia have poor distance vision. Myopia is also known as ‘near-sight­edness’ or ‘short-sightedness’ because peo­ple with myopia can still see things clearly that are up close. Myopia is mostly found in children, but adults can have it as well.

In recent years, the prevalence of myopia has grown at an alarming rate. If current trends continue, by the year 2050, roughly half the people on the planet (5 billion peo­ple) will be myopic.

Myopia affects approximately 15 percent of the population. It is the most common vi­sion impairment in the world for people un­der the age of 40.

Although myopia usually stops getting worse around 20 years of age, the condition in children tends to get worse as they grow.

Generally, the younger a child is when they first develop myopia, the faster their vi­sion will deteriorate, and the more severe it is in adulthood.

Studies have shown that when children spend more than two hours a day outdoors (green time) , the risk of myopia is reduced.

That holds true even when both parents have myopia and even when the children continue to do near-work.

While green time is not a direct cure for myopia, it can provide a helpful balance for the developing child. By increasing time outdoors you will reduce time on your digi­tal devices – and promote healthy lifestyle habits.

Contact Hansen Optometrists Parkes to discuss the most suitable treatment with our optometrist. ‘We are locals caring for locals’

Henry was born prematurely in 2021 and Ronald McDonald House has been helping him ever since. He often returns to Orange for medical appointments with specialists. Henry loves visiting ‘Hen’s House’ as he calls it – a comforting place for him that has been the family’s ‘home away from home’ for over 4 years.

Henry from Parkes has been staying with Ronald McDonald House, on and off, since before he was born.

During a routine antenatal checkup in Parkes, Lou and Gary were advised to travel to Orange hospital immediately where Lou was admitted that night and Garry was luckily offered a room at Ron­ald McDonald House Central West, within walking distance of the Hospital.

The next day Lou was asked to stay in Orange so that their baby could continue to be monitored. Lou was 22 weeks at this stage, and Ronald McDonald House in Orange became their ‘home away from home’.After two weeks the decision was made to transfer to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit suit­able for premature babies in anticipation of Henry’s arrival.

“The staff in Orange went out of their way to assist with travel and transfer arrange­ments,” said Garry. This also included booking them a room at Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle. “It eases the financial pressures and the physical toll of having to be a distance away.”

Henry didn’t keep Lou and Garry waiting long once they arrived in Newcastle – he was born the next day, at 24 weeks weigh­ing 560 grams.

To help support Henry, and kids just like him, you can enter the Ronald McDonald House Central West raffle and go in the draw to win a Hyundai Kona.

Simply buy a $25 ticket to enter and you’ll be in the draw to win, plus you’ll also be helping Ronald McDonald House sup­port sick kids from across the Central West.­All proceeds from the raffle stay in the Central West at Ronald McDonald House Central West and help support families with sick and injured children from across the region.

To learn more about Ronald McDonald House Central West and buy a ticket in the raffle to win a Hyundai Kona visit their website at www.rmchcwnsw.org.au