A study published in 2023 showed that more than 1 in 3 children worldwide are now nearsighted. This represents a huge increase, rising from 24% in 1990 to 36% in 2023. Projections for the future indicate that this number will continue to rise reaching nearly 40% by 2050.
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Myopia is commonly referred to as shortsightedness or nearsightedness is a condition in which a person has difficulty seeing objects that are far away, while nearby objects remain clear.
Myopia is usually managed with glasses, contact lenses or in some cases, corrective surgery. Although the exact cause remains unclear, researchers suspect it is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
Over the past 30 years, the global prevalence of myopia has skyrocketed. Between 1990 and 2023, myopia rates among children and teenagers rose from 24% to 36%.
By 2050, it is estimated that nearly 40% of the global population aged between 5 and 19 will be affected by myopia, accounting for over 740 million children and adolescents worldwide.
Myopia rates are not uniform across the globe. East Asian countries like Japan and South Korea have higher rates than other regions.
Countries in Africa such as Uganda and Sudan, report much lower myopia rates largely due to delayed formal education and lower screen exposure.
Lockdowns forced children and teenagers indoors, reducing physical activity and increasing their reliance on screens for education and entertainment.
East Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan, have been identified as regions with the highest prevalence of myopia in children.
Japan topped the list, with an astonishing 86% of children suffering from myopia, while South Korea followed with a rate of 74%.
Globally children living in urban areas were found to have higher rates of myopia compared to those in rural areas, likely due to environmental and lifestyle differences such as increased screen time and less outdoor activity.
The research also revealed slight differences between boys and girls with girls being more prone to developing myopia than boys.
A contributing factor to the high rates of myopia in East Asian countries could be the early start of formal education. In some parts of East Asia, children start schooling as early as 2 or 3 years old, which may increase their risk of nearsightedness due to increased time spent on close-up activities such as reading or screen use.
While Japan and South Korea had the highest rates of childhood myopia, countries like Paraguay recorded lower rates.
The study also found a spike in myopia prevalence following the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdowns led to prolonged indoor activities, reduced outdoor time and increased screen usage, which are factors associated with myopia development.
Researchers predict that the prevalence of myopia will continue to rise, reaching 36.6% by 2040 and 39.8% by 2050. By 2050, more than half of adolescents aged 13-19 will be nearsighted and over a quarter of children aged 6-12 will suffer from the condition.
By 2050, more than 740 million children and adolescents globally will be affected by myopia.
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Once regarded as a simple refractive error, myopia is now increasingly viewed as an eye disease given the long-term complications it can lead to. If left unchecked, myopia can lead to sight-threatening complications in adulthood such as retinal detachment and myopic macular degeneration.
Children who develop myopia at a young age are particularly at risk, as their eyes continue to grow over time. This can lead to higher degrees of nearsightedness and a greater likelihood of complications later in life.
Factors like screen time, reading up close and lack of outdoor activity have been identified as contributors to the rising rates of myopia among children.
The economic transitions in East and Southeast Asia have been linked to accelerated rates of myopia. This is attributed to the increasing urbanization and competitive educational environments in these regions, which encourage more close-up activities.
Girls were found to be at a slightly higher risk of developing myopia compared to boys, though the reason for this disparity is not entirely clear.
Numerous studies including the latest findings have confirmed that spending time outdoors can help prevent or reduce the incidence of myopia in children. Researchers recommend that children spend at least 1-2 hours outside every day to protect their vision.
Simple measures such as working at a distance of at least 30 cm from screens or books and taking regular breaks, can help minimize eye strain and reduce the risk of myopia.
The 20-20-20 rule is a widely recommended technique, every 20 minutes, children should take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.
Authorities and educators are being urged to reduce the burden of homework and screen-based activities for children. More time spent on physical activities instead of screen exposure can slow down the progression of myopia.
Increased physical activity has been correlated with better overall eye health. Experts suggest that children should engage in more physical activities such as playing outside, to help prevent the onset or worsening of myopia.
Early detection is key to managing myopia. Parents and schools should ensure that children undergo regular eye examinations to identify and treat vision issues at an early stage.
For children who experience eye dryness due to screen use, occasional use of artificial tears can provide relief and prevent symptoms from worsening.
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