One in Three Kids Affected by the Rise in Myopia

A new study showed that one-third of the world's teenagers can cause shortsightedDefine Myopia with myopia. Kids with this disease can't see things far away very clear. The main reason behind this rise especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic, is long screen hours and lesser outdoors.

Impact of COVID-19 on Myopia

• It is widely believed that the pandemic matched with increased indoor activities and device usage led to an increase in myopia number.
• Myopia global burden: A study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that myopita cases have tripled since 1990.
• Overall, 78% of the children from Europe and Australia had developed myopia by age 20 compared with rates in Asia where 85% in Japan are affected.
• Myopia affects about 15% of children in the UK, Ireland and US.

Age and Development of Myopia

• Refractive myopia typically begins during elementary school and progresses until an individual's eye stops growing around 20.
• People who live in East Asia are more likely to suffer from myopia because of environmental factors.
• More than 50% of all people in the world may be myopic by 2050

Preventing Myopia

• At the ages of seven to nine, children should get two hours a day outside

Understanding Myopia

• Myopia:over 30% of the global population and can cause other eye conditions to worsen
• Treatment can be implemented with glasses, contact lenses, orthokeratology and increased time spent outdoors.
• In some cases, myopia may have a genetic component.