September 25, 2024

Global Rise in Short-Sightedness Among Children Linked to Lockdowns and Screen Time

A global analysis reveals that children's eyesight is deteriorating, with one in three now experiencing short-sightedness, or myopia. Researchers suggest that the Covid lockdowns contributed significantly to this decline, as children spent more time on screens and less time outdoors.

Myopia is becoming a pressing global health issue, with projections indicating that millions more children will be affected by 2050. The study highlights alarming rates in Asia, where 85% of children in Japan and 73% in South Korea are short-sighted, along with over 40% in China and Russia. In contrast, countries like Paraguay and Uganda report some of the lowest levels of myopia, around 1%, while the UK, Ireland, and the US have rates close to 15%.

Published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, the study analyzed data from over five million children and teenagers across 50 countries on all six continents. The findings show that short-sightedness has tripled from 1990 to 2023, now affecting 36% of children, with a particularly significant spike observed following the pandemic.

Myopia typically begins in primary school and can worsen until the eye stops growing around the age of 20. Factors influencing its prevalence include geographic location, genetics, and educational practices. In East Asia, where formal education often begins as early as age two, children spend more time focusing on books and screens, straining their eye muscles and increasing the risk of developing myopia. In contrast, in Africa, where schooling generally starts at ages six to eight, the prevalence of myopia is seven times lower than in Asia.