A third of the world's children suffer from myopia, which will reach 40% in 2050. Girls have more hand problems than boys - says study
Astigmatism is anticipated to influence half of the world's populace by 2050. A modern report says it should be countered by classifying it as a infection and upping children's open air time
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the bustling city of Hanamura. Children rushed home after school, their laughter echoing in the narrow streets. Among them was twelve-year-old Yuki, her small frame adorned with a colorful backpack heavier than her. She often fell behind the pack, her nose buried in a book, lost in worlds crafted from ink and paper, though she sometimes missed the beauty of the sprawling skyline just beyond her pages.
Yuki had always struggled to see distant objects clearly. It started slowly; the words in her favorite novels would blur when she read without her glasses. She remembered a day in the park, her mother's anxious eyes watching her squint at the rainbow kite soaring high above, a flickering disappointment in her thin smile. "Let’s get your eyes checked, Yuki," her mother had suggested gently, and from that day on, thick lenses sat on the bridge of her nose like an unwelcome accessory.
As the years passed, the blur of the world outside crept closer, leaving behind a sharp clarity in all things near. The stories she read had begun to shine brightly in her mind, but the enchanting sights of distant mountains and cityscapes remained elusive. Her world grew narrower, outlined only by the things that lay within an arm’s reach.
One evening, as dusk settled in, Yuki found herself curled up in her small bedroom, surrounded by mounds of books and the blue light of her tablet flickering across her face. Her mom often reminded her to play outside, but the allure of stories was far too tempting. Yet, something gnawed at her—a feeling that as she buried her head in worlds fabricated by authors, the external world faded further away.
The following day, school class shared jingles of giggles and lessons. Their teacher, Mr. Nakamura, a passionate man with heavy glasses that magnified his warm eyes, announced an inter-school project focusing on health and well-being. It was a call to action—a chance to address the rising concern of myopia among their peers.
“Research suggests that myopia is affecting more and more children, especially post-pandemic,” he explained to the class, handing out pamphlets. “As emerging leaders, you can make a change. Our project will include physical activities, awareness programs, and encouraging outdoor time.”
Yuki sat up, her mind racing through its corridors, connecting dots that had once felt apart. Her classmates buzzed with ideas, discussing posters and videos, but Yuki wanted to do something far more powerful. That night, she drafted a proposal to create a community play day, where families would be invited to partake in outdoor games, workshops on reducing screen time, and discussions about eye health.
The following weeks were an exhilarating blur of planning, getting help from her classmates, and pouring her heart into the project. She felt a spark of something she had often missed—connection. She orchestrated delicious food stalls, outdoor games, and storytelling corners ignited by the idea of raising awareness that encompassed everyone.
Finally, the big day arrived, and the park transformed into a vibrant world filled with laughter and joy. Yuki stood at the entrance, watching parents and children alike emerge, free of screens and focusing on each other. Little tents lined the walkways, where kids learned to frolic and play while their parents attended talks on reducing screen time and increasing outdoor activities.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the evening unfolded, Yuki captured the beauty of youth—children running, playing catch, climbing trees, their faces illuminated with joy. In that chaotic bliss, she spotted Akira, a boy from her class, struggling to shoot a basketball into the hoop. She looked closer, realizing he had squinted for the last few minutes, frustration clear on his face.
“Hey, Akira!” Yuki called, her heart racing as she ran over. “Try using both hands and stand back a bit!”
With a flicker of hope and following her guidance, he hurled the ball, the swish of the net echoing the flourish of triumph. The joy overtook him, and Yuki felt a rush of warmth; it wasn’t just about eye health anymore—it was about embracing their world together, reconnecting amidst their struggles.
As day turned to night and lanterns glowed around them, Yuki realized that she was part of something grander than herself. Together, they weren’t just combating myopia—they were nurturing connections, memories, and the aching clarity of the world beyond the haze of their lenses. In that moment, Yuki felt hopeful that the world wouldn’t just remain a blur; it would be a canvas yet to be drawn upon, a life of distance waiting to be embraced, even through a child’s small but brave lenses.
And perhaps, just perhaps, it was a journey they could embark on together.
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Benjamin Franklin was not born into greatness; he built it piece by piece with curiosity, discipline, and an unshakable belief in the power of learning. Born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin was the fifteenth of seventeen children in a modest household. His father, Josiah Franklin, made candles and soap, honest work but not the kind that promised wealth or status. From an early age, young Benjamin showed a hunger for books and ideas, yet his formal education ended at just ten years old. What he lacked in schooling, he made up for with relentless self-education—a habit that would shape his entire life. Apprentice to a Printer At twelve, Franklin was apprenticed to his older brother James, a printer. The print shop became Benjamin’s classroom. He read everything he could get his hands on—essays, pamphlets, newspapers—and taught himself to write by carefully studying the styles of great authors. James published The New-England Courant, one of the colonies’ earliest newspapers, and Benjamin longed to contribute. Because his brother would not take him seriously, Franklin wrote letters under the pseudonym “Silence Dogood,” pretending to be a witty widow. The letters were published and widely admired. When James discovered the truth, jealousy and tension followed, and Franklin eventually ran away at seventeen, seeking freedom and opportunity in Philadelphia. Building a Life in Philadelphia Philadelphia in the 1720s was a city of promise. Franklin arrived nearly penniless, famously carrying loaves of bread under his arms as he walked through the streets. Yet he possessed something more valuable than money: determination. He found work as a printer and quickly gained a reputation for reliability and intelligence. Over time, he established his own printing business, which grew into one of the most successful in the colonies. 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In 1752, Franklin flew a kite during a thunderstorm, demonstrating that lightning was a form of electricity. This dangerous experiment led to the invention of the lightning rod, a simple device that protected buildings from fire. Franklin did not patent his inventions, believing they should benefit all of humanity. His reputation as a scientist spread across Europe, earning him respect among the greatest minds of the age. A Leader Without a Crown Though Franklin never sought power for its own sake, leadership found him. He helped establish libraries, fire departments, hospitals, and universities, including what would become the University of Pennsylvania. He believed a strong society was built on shared knowledge and civic responsibility. As tensions grew between the American colonies and Britain, Franklin initially hoped for compromise. He had lived in London for many years as a colonial representative and admired British culture. 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