In modern society, due to the prolonged use of electronic devices and changes in reading habits, myopia has become a common vision problem. However, in ancient times, the situation of myopia was relatively rare. This article will explore whether there was myopia in ancient times and the reasons for its scarcity.

I. Records of Myopia in Ancient Literature

Although there are not many records of myopia in ancient literature, they do exist. For example, the ancient Chinese medical book "Zhubing Yuanyou Lun" mentions the symptom of "inability to see far," which can be regarded as a description of myopia. In addition, some ancient literary works occasionally mention characters' myopic characteristics, indicating that ancient people were not completely unfamiliar with myopia.

II. Relationship between Ancient Lifestyle and Myopia

The lifestyle of ancient people greatly influenced the incidence of myopia. First, the writing tools and materials of ancient times limited the time of close-up eye use. Writing with a brush required larger limb movements, relatively reducing the burden on the eyes. Secondly, the limited popularization of education in ancient times meant that only a few people needed to read and write for extended periods, which also reduced the occurrence of myopia. Furthermore, the slower pace of life in ancient times and more outdoor activities helped alleviate eye fatigue.

III. Understanding and Coping with Myopia in Ancient Times

Although myopia was less common in ancient times, the ancients did have some understanding of vision problems. In some ancient books, knowledge and treatment methods related to eye care can be found. For example, in traditional Chinese medicine theory, it is believed that "the liver controls the eyes," indicating that the health of the liver directly affects vision. Therefore, ancient treatment methods mostly started with regulating the liver, supplemented by some eye exercises and applications.

IV. Analysis of the Reasons for the Rarity of Myopia in Ancient Times

In addition to the above-mentioned factors related to lifestyle, the rarity of myopia in ancient times was also related to genetics, nutrition, and other environmental factors. The small population base and inconvenient transportation in ancient times meant less frequent genetic exchange among people, which may have reduced the possibility of myopia heredity. In addition, the diet of ancient times was mostly natural food, with balanced nutrition, which was beneficial for eye health. The high-sugar and high-fat dietary habits in modern society may have aggravated the development of myopia.

Conclusion:

In summary, although myopia existed in ancient times, its incidence was indeed lower compared to modern times. The lifestyle, education and work environment, and understanding of vision protection among ancient people all contributed to reducing the occurrence of myopia to some extent. By exploring the situation of myopia in ancient times, we can better understand the historical background of myopia and reflect on how to effectively prevent and control its development in modern life.

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