Myopia now affects one in every three children, Covid lockdown played major role
Myopia, often known as short-sightedness, is a condition of the eyes that causes a person to be unable to view distant things clearly.
Myopia’s prevalence has raised public health concerns, particularly among researchers. While the cause of its rise remains unknown, experts from a recent study on myopia indicate a relationship between rising incidences of myopia and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Myopia, often known as short-sightedness, is a condition of the eyes that causes a person to be unable to view distant things clearly. Glasses or contact lenses can help correct this vision.
In their most recent study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers from China’s Sun Yat-Sen University and Henan Provincial People’s Hospital discovered that around one in every three children and teenagers around the world is short-sighted.
They urged people to reduce screen time and boost physical activity, claiming that the Covid lockdowns had a bad influence on children’s eyesight since they spent more time on screens and less time outside.
“Based on our trend analysis, it has been observed that there has been a significant rise in the occurrence of myopia among children and adolescents globally over the past 30 years, with the prevalence increasing from 24.32% to 35.81%. This increase has been particularly notable after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the researchers stated.
Over five million children and teenagers from 50 nations on all six continents participated in the research observed in this study.
Asia has the highest rates of short-sightedness, with 85% of children in Japan and 73% in South Korea, as well as more than 40% affected in China and Russia.
Their findings revealed that the prevalence of short-sightedness has tripled from 1990 to 2023, reaching 36%. The report cautions that myopia is an expanding global health hazard, estimated to approach 740 million instances by 2050.
Factors Contributing to Myopia
Myopia normally begins in school and worsens over time until the eye stops growing at the age of 20.
Several variables contribute to the development of short-sightedness, with residing in East Asia being the most relevant. Genetics, or traits passed down from parents, are important, but there are other factors to consider.
In Singapore and Hong Kong, children begin formal education as young as two years old. This early exposure to reading and screen time puts additional strain on their eyes, which research suggests may contribute to myopia.
In comparison, it is seven times less common in Africa, where children typically begin school between the ages of six and eight years.
The study also suggests that girls and young women may have higher rates of myopia than boys, maybe due to spending less time outside at school and home as they grow older.
Furthermore, girls frequently begin puberty sooner, which might lead to the development of short-sightedness at a younger age.
“With the increase in enrolment pressure, students are experiencing a rise in learning pressure and burden. As a result, they are spending more time focusing on close-range activities with their eyes, which reduces the time they spend on outdoor sports and exercise. This constant strain on the ciliary muscles often leads to eye fatigue and myopia,” the researchers noted.
While Asia is expected to have the highest prevalence of myopia by 2050, with over 69% of the population affected, developing countries may experience rates as high as 40%, according to studies.
The authors stated, “According to our projections, there is an anticipated 9% rise in the overall prevalence of myopia between 2023 and 2050, which will lead to a substantial burden of ocular disease, affecting more than 740 million children and adolescents.”
The inability to read words at a distance, such as while reading the school board, sitting too near to a computer or television, holding a tablet or phone too close to the eyes, experiencing regular headaches, and excessive eye rubbing are common indications of myopia.
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