Thirty percent of children and teens around the world will be nearsighted by 2023, a new study has found.
Diagnosis of myopia (myopia) is expected to worsen over the next 20 years, according to research published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
About 740 million young people worldwide are expected to be affected by the condition by 2050, study lead author Dr. Yajun Chen, a professor at China’s Sun Yat-sen University, told FOX News Digital.
‘Pickleball saved my eyesight,’ says 79-year-old Florida woman: ‘I was really worried.’
“This study also highlights the wide variation in myopia rates across regions, suggesting that factors such as gender, ethnicity and culture play an important role.”
Thirty percent of children and teens around the world will be nearsighted by 2023, a new study has found. (St. Petersburg)
“Understanding these variations is critical to tailoring prevention and intervention strategies to specific at-risk populations.”
For the study, researchers analyzed 276 studies involving more than 5.4 million participants from 50 countries across six continents.
According to the study, the highest rates of myopia were in East Asia (35.22%), urban areas (28.55%), women (33.57%), adolescents (47%), and high school students (45.71%).
Ask your doctor: “Is it safe to swim underwater with my eyes open?”
Myopia can develop rapidly during critical developmental periods, especially in children and adolescents, Chen said.
Research shows that myopia has skyrocketed following the COVID-19 pandemic.


By 2050, approximately 740 million young people worldwide are expected to be myopic, researchers have found. (St. Petersburg)
“During the pandemic, many countries implemented national lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus,” he said.
“As children and adolescents spend more time indoors, they are less likely to be active outdoors, and at the same time spend more time looking at screens, which can increase strain on the eyes of this population and exacerbate the myopia crisis. ”
Nebraska baby born with cataracts undergoes 3 eye surgeries to save vision: ‘I just kept praying’
Dr. Mark Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at New York University Langone Medical Center, was not involved in the study but commented on the findings.
“Dietary habits may play a role, but I think the biggest reason for the increase, especially since the pandemic, is because of lockdowns and people living more indoors,” he told Fox News Digital. spoke.
“Untreated myopia can lead to more severe vision problems in the future.”
Siegel says that increased screen time gives children and teens less opportunity for their eye muscles to adapt.
“For example, seeing far while seeing up close, adjusting to light by moving from indoors to outdoors, and talking directly to people all strengthen the small eye muscles that prevent nearsightedness. ” he says. Added.
Warning about long-term effects
Dr. Jesse Willingham, an optometrist at Brighter Outlook Vision in North Charleston, South Carolina, says that if vision problems are not addressed, they can lead to academic problems, social and emotional conflicts, behavioral problems, and long-term problems. It warned that it could have some serious effects on children, including serious eye health problems.


“I think the biggest reason for the increase, especially since the pandemic, is because of lockdowns and more people living indoors,” Dr. Mark Siegel told FOX News Digital. (St. Petersburg)
“We all understand that seeing clearly is important for school, but learning requires a variety of visual skills,” Willingham, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. spoke.
“Myopia is the most common developmental vision problem, but early vision problems can include difficulty tracking, a reduced ability to adapt the focus of the eyes, or a reduced ability to use both eyes as a team, or “It can begin with other functional problems that result from excessive stress on the visual system at an early age,” he added.
Research limitations
Chen acknowledged that the study has some limitations.
“The main limitations of the included studies are the differences in the designs and methods utilized,” he said.


Researchers recommend that parents should ensure that their children have regular eye exams from an early age. (St. Petersburg)
“The quality of included epidemiological studies varies widely within and between reviews, ranging from high to low risk of bias.”
There could also be “uneven distribution of data” among countries within a given continent, Chen said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“As a result, the findings we report may be biased, as they are primarily influenced by data from a limited number of countries.”
The studies included in the analysis also differed in terms of criteria and procedures for assessing myopia, Chen noted.
have a solution in mind
Creating a supportive environment at home and school can help children develop healthy habits that protect their vision, the researchers said.


Doctors have warned that vision problems could have serious implications for the child’s health if left unresolved. (St. Petersburg)
Experts have suggested the following interventions to reduce the prevalence of myopia among young people:
1. Promote outdoor activities
Chen recommends that families prioritize playing time outdoors.
“Schools can organize outdoor activities, encourage sports and create a culture that values physical activity and exposure to natural light,” he said.
2. Manage your usage time
For younger children who haven’t started school yet, Willingham recommends allowing screen time only when video chatting with friends and family.
Click here to sign up for our health newsletter
“For school-age children, a good rule of thumb is to match screen time one-to-one with outdoor time and limit screen sessions to no more than 20 minutes at a time,” he told Fox News Digital. Ta.
“Also, try to make your screen time ergonomic by keeping your screen at least 12 inches apart and maintaining good posture.”
3. Schedule regular eye exams
Parents should ensure that their children have regular eye exams from an early age, Chen recommended.


Doctors say that with more screen time, children and teens’ eye muscles have less of a chance to adapt. (Getty Images)
“Untreated myopia can lead to more severe vision problems later in life, so early detection and intervention are critical,” he said.
“It’s also helpful to stay informed about new treatments and techniques aimed at slowing the progression of myopia, such as special contact lenses and eye drops.”
Willingham says it’s important to choose an eye care provider who understands visual development.
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
“Developmental optometrists have more training and experience in the field and are typically affiliated with OVDRA (Optometry Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association),” he said.
“If your child is at high risk for myopia or already has myopia, consider finding a myopia management specialist through an organization like TreeHouse Eyes.”
4. Participate in community initiatives
Chen said participating in community programs aimed at preventing myopia, such as vision screening events and educational support, can reduce the prevalence of myopia.


One ophthalmologist said: “As children and adolescents spend more time indoors, they are less likely to be active outdoors, and at the same time spend more time looking at screens, increasing the strain on this population’s eyes and exacerbating the myopia crisis. There is a possibility.” (St. Petersburg)
Incorporating visual education into school curricula and supporting public health campaigns focused on myopia prevention could also be effective, he added.
“By taking these proactive steps, everyone can help reduce the prevalence of myopia and promote healthier vision for children and adolescents,” Chen said.