Global Myopia Crisis: 1 in 3 Children Now Nearsighted

 Nearsightedness currently affects about one-third of children and adolescents worldwide. Key factors influencing its prevalence include female gender, living in East Asia or urban areas, and education level.

It is estimated that about one-third of children and adolescents globally have myopia, with the number of nearsighted cases projected to exceed 740 million by 2050, according to an analysis of data published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Key factors influencing this prevalence include female gender, living in East Asia or urban areas, and education level, the findings showed.

Myopia: A Growing Public Health Problem

Myopia, which means difficulty seeing objects at a distance, usually begins in childhood and tends to worsen with age. The researchers explain that the condition has emerged as a significant public health problem, especially in Southeast Asia.

However, the most recent global review of myopia prevalence only covered data up to 2015. To provide a more up-to-date picture to guide health policy and prevention efforts, the researchers estimated the current and future prevalence of myopia through 2050 among children aged 5 to 19 years.

They pooled data from studies and government reports published up to June 2023, covering 276 studies involving more than 5.4 million children and adolescents from 50 countries worldwide. The analysis revealed a sharp increase in myopia prevalence from 24% in 1990–2000 to 36% in 2020–2023, equivalent to about 1 in 3 children and adolescents.

Regional and Demographic Differences

Myopia prevalence was higher among children living in East Asia (35%), urban areas (29%), girls (34%), and adolescents (47%). Based on trends through 2023, the global prevalence is expected to reach about 40% by 2050.

The COVID-19 pandemic may also have played a role in the sharp increase after 2020, the researchers said, noting that evidence suggests the pandemic has the potential to accelerate vision decline among young people.