Children's eyesight worsening, study links rise to screen time
Research clearly shows that children's eyesight is deteriorating worldwide. One in three children is nearsighted or has difficulty clearly perceiving distant objects. This trend was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which children spent most of their time at home in front of screens.
4:56 PM EDT, September 25, 2024
Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is expected to affect millions of children globally by 2050. The most affected are in Japan, where as many as 85% of children have such problems. In South Korea, the figure is 73%, while in China and Russia, it is 40% each.
On the other side of the spectrum are Paraguay and Uganda, where only 1% of children are affected by this issue. In the USA, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, around 15% of children are already nearsighted.
The study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology included over five million children and adolescents from 50 countries on all six continents.
Their calculations showed that myopia tripled between 1990 and 2023, rising to 36%. Scientists noted this increase was "particularly noticeable" following the COVID-19 pandemic.
It starts in elementary school
Nearsightedness, or myopia, typically begins in elementary school and continues to worsen until around the age of 20, as eyes continue to grow during this period.
Contributing factors to nearsightedness include genetics and an early start to education. This is evident in places such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Studies indicate that the later children are required to focus their vision on books and screens, the better their eyesight is.
Nearsightedness is seven times less common in Africa, where schooling often starts at the age of six to eight, than in Asia. Research predicts that by 2050, this condition may affect more than half of teenagers worldwide.
Girls and young women are more prone to vision deterioration, as research shows they spend less time engaging in outdoor activities as they grow.
Scientists say that by 2050, Asia is likely to have the highest levels of nearsightedness compared to all other continents, with nearly 69% of children affected. Developing countries could also see prevalence rates reach 40%.
Nearsightedness - how to protect children?
Scientists recommend that children aged seven to nine spend at least two hours a day outside.
Parents of children in this age group should also ensure regular eye exams and be mindful that nearsightedness is hereditary. Glasses or lenses do not cure myopia; they only correct the vision defect.
