A recent global analysis has found that more than one-third of children and teenagers worldwide are now shortsighted, and myopia prevalence is expected to reach over 740 million by 2050. The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, links the rise in myopia to increased screen time and lack of outdoor activity, though the exact causes remain unclear. The data, drawn from 276 studies across 50 countries, reveals a significant increase in myopia from 24% in the 1990s to 36% in 2020-2023.
Girls and children living in urban areas are particularly vulnerable, and the condition typically worsens with age. Researchers from Sun Yat-sen University in China suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to the recent surge in cases due to lifestyle changes like more screen time and less outdoor exposure. By 2050, myopia prevalence is projected to reach 40%, with girls and…
