A recent global analysis has revealed a concerning trend: the decline in children’s vision is rapidly deteriorating, with one in every three children suffering from nearsightedness or difficulty seeing objects in the distance. Researchers attribute this issue to the COVID-19 pandemic, as increased screen time and reduced outdoor activities have taken a toll on children’s eyesight.
The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, investigated over 5 million children and adolescents from 50 countries across six continents. The researchers found that from 1990 to 2023, the prevalence of nearsightedness has doubled, reaching 36%. This increase has been particularly evident following the COVID-19 pandemic, with children spending more time on screens and less time outdoors.
Nearsightedness, which typically begins during elementary school and worsens until the eyes stop growing around the age of 20, is a growing global health concern. Asia has the highest prevalence of nearsightedness, with Japan and South Korea reporting rates of 85% and 73%, respectively. China and Russia also have nearsightedness rates exceeding 40%.
On the other hand, countries like Paraguay and Uganda have the lowest rates, at around 1%. The United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States have nearsightedness rates of approximately 15%.
Several factors contribute to the increased likelihood of nearsightedness, including living in East Asia and genetics. Children in countries like Singapore and Hong Kong begin their education at a young age (two years old), leading to more time spent focusing on books and screens, causing eye strain and potentially contributing to nearsightedness. In Africa, where children start school at the age of six to eight, the prevalence of nearsightedness is seven times lower than in Asia.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people were forced to spend prolonged periods indoors, impacting the vision of children and adolescents. Researchers suggest a potential link between the pandemic and the accelerated decline in young adults’ vision.
The study predicts that by 2050, this condition could affect more than half of the world’s adolescents. The prevalence may be higher in girls and young women due to their earlier onset of puberty and reduced time spent on outdoor activities. Girls tend to start puberty earlier, leading to an earlier onset of nearsightedness.
Although the Asian continent is expected to have the highest nearsightedness rate (69%) by 2050, developing countries may also see nearsightedness rates reach 40%.
British ophthalmologists recommend that children spend at least two hours outdoors each day, especially between the ages of 7 and 9, to reduce their risk of nearsightedness. The exact cause of this protective effect remains unclear, but it could be due to the natural sunlight, outdoor exercise, or children’s focus on distant objects.
Outdoor activities are beneficial for children, and parents are advised to take their children for eye exams between the ages of 7 and 10, even if they have had previous vision checks. It’s important to note that nearsightedness can be hereditary; if a child has nearsighted parents, their risk of developing the condition is three times higher than others.
While nearsightedness cannot be cured, it can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Special lenses can slow the progression of childhood nearsightedness, but they are expensive. In Asia, these special lenses are popular, and glass classrooms designed for outdoor learning are also in use.
A concerning aspect of high nearsightedness rates is the increased risk of abnormal eye diseases in older adults.
Symptoms of Nearsightedness:
- Difficulty reading distant text, such as a school’s whiteboard
- Sitting close to the TV or computer, or holding a smartphone or tablet close to the face
- Headaches
- Frequently rubbing the eyes
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