Global Increase in Childhood Nearsightedness #

A new study reveals that over one-third of children worldwide were nearsighted in 2023, with projections indicating this proportion will rise to nearly 40% by 2050. Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a condition where close objects appear clear while distant objects are blurry.

The prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents has seen a significant increase over the past three decades, rising from 24% in 1990 to almost 36% in 2023. This increase has been largely gradual, with a notable spike observed following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Regional Disparities #

The study highlighted regional differences in myopia rates:

East Asian children had the highest rate at 35%, more than double that of their White peers.
Japan topped the list with 86% of children being nearsighted.
South Korea followed with 74% of children affected.

Researchers suggest that the higher rates in East Asian countries might be partly due to children starting formal education at an earlier age, typically around 2 or 3 years old.

Urban vs. Rural and Gender Differences #

Globally, children in urban areas show higher rates of myopia compared to those in rural areas. Girls were found to be slightly more likely to develop the condition than boys.

Future Projections #

The study forecasts that myopia prevalence among children and adolescents will continue to rise:

36.6% by 2040
39.8% by 2050

Recommendations for Eye Health #

To protect children’s vision, researchers and experts suggest:

Developing regular eye-protective habits
Increasing time spent on physical activities
Decreasing time spent on non-active activities like watching TV, playing computer games, and internet surfing
Reducing homework and tutoring burdens
Promoting eye exams, early detection, and treatment
Taking breaks and avoiding prolonged screen time
Following the “20-20-20 rule”: Take 20-second breaks every 20 minutes to look 20 feet away
Using artificial tears for dry eyes
Spending time outdoors, which has been linked to reduced incidence of childhood nearsightedness

By implementing these measures, parents and caregivers can help protect children’s vision and potentially slow the progression of nearsightedness.