post 2/research/myopia

“what does that say?”

the research of my bfa project comes with the understanding of nearsightedness and the disadvantages of having it. while there isn’t any recent news of the disadvantages, i’ve researched the impact of myopia that had occurred during covid-19. statistics show that the majority of children and even young adults, where myopia has increased due to being quarantined, going to school online, less time outside because of restrictions during covid-19; myopia during the pandemic has increased, drastically. from personal experience, my vision has gotten worse during covid, the use of electronics, being confined into our homes, and just using electronics for almost a year. 

i had to ask myself this question, “did my vision become worse during covid-19?” and the answer is yes. i believe that others all around the world has, as well. with statistics shown, the progression of myopia has affected millions of people around the world. one study in chongqing, china did a survey on the progression of myopia of children during covid. in 2020, myopia has increased 10.40% than in 2019 and the se in 2020 after home quarantine has gotten higher than in 2019. students using computers and mobile devices for online learning during the pandemic had terrible ucva (uncorrected vision activity) and se (spherical equivalence). another study in china examined the risk factors of myopia relating to online learning and social isolation; the average use of devices during covid was almost 4 hours a day and the symptoms of myopia has increased due to the use of devices. 

something i’d like to do for an art intervention is a drawing/painting still-life or a self-portrait without my glasses, but i am still hesitant about it. i feel like it’s a great idea, but with wearing my glasses on a daily basis, i can’t just put it away and start drawing. drawing without glasses may become a struggle, for me, just because i have to squint just to see the object clearly. with this intervention, regardless, i’d like to show people how i see the world, with myopia. 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9512310/#sec1