Rising Global Prevalence of Childhood Myopia: Causes and Future Trends

The prevalence of childhood myopia, also known as near-sightedness or short-sightedness, has been on a steady rise worldwide, posing a growing public health concern.

Myopia is a condition where distant objects appear blurry, and it usually begins in early childhood. In recent decades, it has significantly increased, with projections indicating that this trend will continue into the future.

Current Statistics and Future Projections

According to a comprehensive analysis conducted by a research team in China and published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology (citation below), approximately 36% of children and adolescents worldwide currently suffer from myopia.

This number is expected to rise to 40% by 2050, affecting over 740 million children and teens globally.

This increase in myopia rates has been particularly sharp since 2020, which some studies suggest could be linked to lifestyle changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

These changes, including reduced outdoor time and increased screen usage, may have accelerated the development of vision problems in young people.

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Demographic Variations

Certain demographic groups are more affected by myopia than others. For instance, children in East Asia are significantly more likely to develop myopia, with countries like Japan seeing rates as high as 85%.

Similarly, girls tend to have higher rates of myopia than boys, which could be due to less time spent outdoors and earlier physical development.

Adolescents aged 13 to 19 also exhibit a higher prevalence of myopia compared to younger children, likely due to their involvement in education and other activities requiring close-up vision.

Causes of the Increase

While myopia can be inherited, environmental factors seem to be the main drivers behind its growing prevalence.

The rapid rise of technology, with children spending more time indoors using electronic devices or engaging in activities that require focusing on nearby objects, is one of the primary causes.

Education also plays a role, as students are often required to focus on books or screens for extended periods.

Additionally, early exposure to formal education, particularly in East Asia, is believed to be a contributing factor to the high rates of myopia in that region.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has likely intensified the situation, with lockdowns and school closures reducing children’s time outdoors and increasing their screen time.

A global review of studies found that the prevalence of myopia surged during the pandemic, with some countries seeing significant increases between 2020 and 2023.

In East Asia, where myopia rates were already high, the impact of the pandemic appears to have been especially severe.

Future Outlook

Projections suggest that by 2050, the prevalence of myopia will be highest in East Asia, where nearly 70% of children and adolescents may be affected.

Globally, myopia is expected to become a more widespread issue, with girls and teens being the most vulnerable groups.

To address this growing problem, experts recommend encouraging more outdoor activities and reducing screen time for children, as these measures have been shown to help slow the progression of myopia.

Final Thoughts

The rise in childhood myopia is a complex issue influenced by genetic and environmental factors.

The problem is expected to worsen in the coming decades, particularly in urban areas and in East Asia.

To mitigate this trend, more preventive measures focused on lifestyle changes are urgently needed to protect the eye health of future generations.

Citation

Liang J, Pu Y, Chen J, Liu M, Ouyang B, Jin Z, Ge W, Wu Z, Yang X, Qin C, Wang C, Huang S, Jiang N, Hu L, Zhang Y, Gui Z, Pu X, Huang S, Chen Y. Global prevalence, trend and projection of myopia in children and adolescents from 1990 to 2050: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Ophthalmology Published Online First: 24 September 2024. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo-2024-325427