Children’s Eyesight Declining Worldwide
In a global analysis, researchers have found that children’s eyesight is deteriorating at an alarming rate, with one in three now suffering from short-sightedness or blurry vision when looking at objects in the distance.
The study suggests that Covid lockdowns have had a detrimental impact on eyesight as children spent more time glued to screens and less time outdoors, exacerbating the issue.
Short-sightedness, also known as myopia, is becoming a major global health concern, with projections indicating that millions more children will be affected by 2050.
The highest rates of myopia are observed in Asia, with 85% of children in Japan and 73% in South Korea experiencing this condition. More than 40% of children in China and Russia are also affected.
On the other hand, countries like Paraguay and Uganda have significantly lower levels of myopia, around 1%, while the UK, Ireland, and the US hover around 15%.
Published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, the study analyzed data from over five million children and teenagers across 50 countries on all continents, revealing that myopia tripled between 1990 and 2023, reaching 36%.
The researchers noted a particularly sharp increase in myopia following the Covid pandemic, underscoring the impact of prolonged screen time on eye health.
Factors contributing to myopia include genetics and environmental influences, such as living in East Asia where early education practices may strain the eyes from a young age.
During the pandemic, with widespread lockdowns limiting outdoor activities, children’s eyesight suffered, raising concerns about accelerated vision deterioration among young adults.
By 2050, it is predicted that over half of teens globally will be affected by myopia, with girls and young women likely to have higher rates due to less outdoor activities compared to boys.
Experts recommend that children spend at least two hours outdoors daily to reduce the risk of myopia, emphasizing the importance of natural sunlight and focusing on distant objects for eye health.
Regular eye tests for children aged seven to ten are advised, especially for those with a family history of myopia, as the condition tends to run in families.
While myopia cannot be cured, it can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Special lenses that slow down myopia progression in young children exist but are costly.
In Asian countries, innovative solutions like glass classrooms mimicking outdoor learning environments are being explored to tackle the high prevalence of myopia.
The overarching concern is that rising myopia rates could lead to a surge in eye-related issues in older age, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to safeguard children’s vision health. — BBC
