A new study has revealed that at least 30% of children and adolescents worldwide were suffering from myopia in 2023.
Prognosis of nearsightedness (myopia) is expected to worsen over the next two decades, according to findings published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
By 2050, about 740 million young individuals worldwide are expected to have the condition, lead study author Dr. Yajun Chen, a professor at Sun Yat-sen University in China, told Fox News Digital.
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“The study also highlights significant disparities in myopia rates across different regions, suggesting that factors such as gender, ethnicity and culture play an important role,” he added.
A new study has revealed that at least 30% of children and adolescents worldwide were suffering from myopia in 2023. (iStock)
“Understanding these variations is important to tailor prevention and intervention strategies to specific at-risk populations.”
In the study, researchers analyzed 276 studies involving more than 5.4 million participants from 50 countries on all six continents.
The study found that rates of myopia were highest in East Asia (35.22%), urban areas (28.55%), women (33.57%), adolescents (47%) and high school students (45.71%). Was.
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Chen said myopia can progress rapidly during critical growth periods, especially in children and teens.
Research has shown that there has been a significant increase in myopia after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers found that by 2050, approximately 740 million youth worldwide are expected to have myopia. (iStock)
“During the pandemic, many countries imposed nationwide lockdowns to prevent the spread of the virus,” he said.
“Longer periods of staying indoors reduced children and adolescents’ outdoor activities, while increasing screen time, potentially increasing the eye burden on this population and worsening the myopia crisis. “
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Dr. Mark Siegel, Fox News Senior Medical Analyst and Clinical Professor of Medicine NYU Langone Medical CenterWas not involved in the study but commented on the findings.
“Diet may play a role, but I think the biggest reason for the increase, especially coming out of the pandemic, is lockdowns and staying indoors more,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Untreated myopia can lead to more serious vision problems later in life.”
As screen time increases, children and teens have fewer opportunities to adapt to the eye muscles, Siegel said.
“For example, moving back and forth from looking close to looking far, and adjusting to the lights from indoors to outdoors, and talking to people in person – all of these exercise the tiny eye muscles.” which protect you from myopia,” he said. Added.
warning of long term effects
Dr. Jesse Willingham, an optometrist at Brighter Outlook Vision in North Charleston, South Carolina, warned that ignored vision problems can have many significant consequences for children, including academic problems, social and emotional struggles, behavioral issues and long-term Eye health issues included.
I think the biggest reason for the increase, especially coming out of the pandemic, is lockdowns and staying indoors more,” Dr. Mark Siegel told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“We all understand that being able to see clearly is important for school, but we need many different visual skills to learn,” Willingham, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. told.
“Nearsightedness is the most common developmental vision problem, but early vision problems may begin with tracking difficulties, poor ability to adapt the eyes’ focus or use both eyes as a team, or other functional problems that are too taxing on the eyes. “Arise from more stress to the visual system at an early age,” he said.
Limitations of the study
Chen acknowledged that the study had some limitations.
“The major limitation of the included studies is the disparity in the designs and methods used,” he said.
The researcher suggested that parents should ensure that their children have regular eye examinations from an early age. (iStock)
“The quality of the included epidemiological studies varied significantly within and between reviews, ranging from high risk to low risk of bias.”
There is also the possibility of “uneven distribution of data” between countries on any given continent, Chen said.
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“As a result, our reported findings may be biased because they were primarily influenced by data from a limited number of countries.”
Chen said the studies included in the analysis also varied in terms of the criteria and procedures for assessing myopia.
come up with solutions
Creating a supportive environment at home and in schools can encourage children to adopt healthy habits that protect their vision, the researchers said.
Ignored vision problems can have significant consequences for children’s health, a doctor has warned. (iStock)
Experts offered the following interventions to help reduce the prevalence of myopia among youth.
1. Promote outdoor activities
Chen suggested that families should prioritize outdoor play time.
“Schools can organize outdoor activities and encourage sports, creating a culture that values physical engagement and natural light exposure,” he said.
2. Manage Screen Time
For very young children who haven’t started school yet, Willingham recommends allowing screen time only when video-chatting with friends and family.
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“For school-age children, matching screen time with outdoor time and limiting screen sessions to no more than 20 minutes at a time are good rules of thumb,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Also ensure that screen time is done in an ergonomic manner, keeping the screen at a distance of at least 12 inches and maintaining good posture.”
3. Schedule regular eye exams
Chen suggested that parents should ensure that their children have regular eye exams from an early age.
A doctor said that with the increase in screen time, children and teens have fewer opportunities for their eye muscles to adapt. (Getty Images)
“Early detection and intervention is important, as untreated myopia can lead to more serious vision problems later in life,” he said.
“It is also beneficial to stay informed about new treatments and technologies, such as special contact lenses and eye drops, aimed at slowing the progression of myopia.”
According to Willingham, it’s important to choose an eye care provider who understands visual development.
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“Developing optometrists have more training and experience in this field, and they are typically affiliated with OVDRA, the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association,” he said.
“If your child is at high risk for developing nearsightedness or already has nearsightedness, consider finding a nearsightedness management specialist through organizations like Treehouse Eyes.”
4. Participate in community initiatives
According to Chen, getting involved with community programs aimed at preventing myopia, such as vision screening programs or educational outreach, can help reduce its prevalence.
One eye doctor said, “Prolonged indoor exposure reduced children and adolescents’ outdoor activities while increasing screen time, potentially increasing the ocular burden on this population and increasing the risk of myopia.” The crisis worsened.” (iStock)
Integrating vision education into school curriculum and supporting public health campaigns focused on myopia prevention could also be effective, she said.
“By taking these proactive steps, everyone can contribute to reducing the prevalence of myopia and promoting healthy vision for children and adolescents,” Chen said.
