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Prevalence of nearsighted children set to increase -

A new study has revealed an alarming number of children around the world are developing nearsightedness.

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A significant rise in cases -

According to the study's authors, there has been a significant rise in the prevalence of nearsightedness among children and adolescents in the past 30 years—from 24% in 1990 to almost 36% in 2023.

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A global problem -

About 36% of children and teens globally have nearsightedness, or myopia. The condition is also known as shortsightedness.

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Percentages set to soar -

According to the paper, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers predict that the number will rise to 40% by the year 2050, with more than 740 million cases around the world.

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How the study was undertaken -

The study's authors reached their findings by analyzing the results of 276 studies involving more than five million children and adolescents in 50 countries across six continents.

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Who's affected? -

According to their analysis, the condition disproportionately affects girls, children living in East Asia, and children living in urban settings.

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COVID-19's role -

While the increase in cases of nearsightedness has been gradual, there was a notable spike after the COVID-19 pandemic, where lockdowns, specifically the decrease in outdoor activities and increase in screen time, could have contributed to worsening myopia, say the researchers, who also identified regional disparities.

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Myopia is a major health problem -

"Myopia has emerged as a major public health concern nowadays, with striking evidence existing for rapid increases in its prevalence, especially for Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, China and Taiwan," noted the paper.

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Highest rates of nearsightedness -

East Asian children had the highest rate of nearsightedness, at 35%—more than twice the rate of their white peers.

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Japan heads the list -

Japan topped the list, with 86% of children nearsighted, or myopic.

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South Korea a close second -

South Korea had the second-highest rate according to the study, with 74% of youngsters diagnosed as nearsighted.

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The urban factor -

Interestingly, the paper noted that children in urban areas have higher rates of myopia than those in rural areas.

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Environmental factors -

The researchers also pointed out that younger children were more vulnerable to environmental factors than adults. "This is particularly significant for pre-school children, as they are in a critical period of visual development characterized by high plasticity [the brain's ability to adapt and change in response to visual stimuli]," they explained.

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Low rates of myopia -

At the other end of the scale, rates of nearsightedness were found to be at their lowest in countries such as Sudan, Uganda, and Burkina Faso.

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Delay in near-vision activity -

Factors ascribed to this include genetics, but it's more likely "attributed to lower literacy rates and delayed initiation of formal education, typically occurring between the ages of six to eight years for most children," the study explained. In other words, near-vision activity is put on hold.

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Using the eyes earlier -

By way of comparison, East Asian children start formal education at the age of two or three, earlier than kids in other regions, which means young and developing eyes are being used earlier on close-range activities.

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Why are girls more prone to nearsightedness? -

As for the condition disproportionately affecting girls, researchers suggest that because girls reach puberty faster than boys and tend to spend less time outdoors and more time on close-range activities, their eyes are more prone to potential myopia.

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What is nearsightedness? -

Nearsightedness means someone can see close objects clearly but has difficulty seeing things clearly in the distance.

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Cause and effect -

The condition is caused by a refractive error that makes faraway objects look fuzzy or blurry.

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Inability to focus properly -

It happens because the light coming into your eyes doesn't focus correctly, so images are unclear.

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Early age high visual demands -

Eyes when focusing on close-up activities such as reading books, using mobile devices, watching television, working at a computer, or playing video games are activities that are often carried out by children.

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Promoting myopia -

High visual demands with near vision over a long period can be a potential cause of myopia.

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Myopia and mobile devices -

Typically, prolonged use of mobile devices by youngsters can harm the eyes. It's another reason why children in poor nations—like those indicated earlier, where personal ownership of a smart phone or similar is rare—aren't so vulnerable to the onset of myopia.

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More work to do -

While the authors concede that the study paints a sad picture of the state of eyesight among young people worldwide, they are quick to point out the various limitations to their findings, including the variable quality and considerable differences in the design and methodology of the studies included in their pooled data analysis.

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How to protect a child's vision -

Meanwhile, the researchers urge parents to encourage their children to do more to protect their vision. This includes increasing the amount of time engaging in physical activity.

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Get physical outdoors -

"Students should also decrease the time spent on non-active activities such as watching television and videos, playing computer games, and surfing the internet," the study reads.

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Decreasing the risks -

The authors have also called on officials to reduce the burden of homework and tutoring on students, as well as promoting regular eye exams, early detection, and treatment.

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Follow the "20-20-20 rule" -

Prolonged screen time can cause eye strain and dryness in any user's eyes, but a child is particularly prone to this kind of discomfort. Therefore, regular breaks of 20 seconds every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away is recommended, the so-called "20-20-20 rule.

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Keep eyes moist -

Occasional use of artificial tears, or eye drops, may help with dry eye.

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A potential global health burden -

The study, however, signs off with a caution, its authors warning that "it is crucial to recognize that myopia may become a global health burden in the future."

Sources: (CNN) (CBS News) (Sky News) (Cleveland Clinic) (Medical Express) 

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