A Growing Concern: Myopia Expected to Affect Half of the Population by 2050

In recent years, modern lifestyles have led to a continuous rise in the number of children diagnosed with myopia, as reported today (Thursday) by Walla. While in the past, only one or two children in an average classroom would wear glasses, we now see many more children struggling with vision problems.

Data from the United States show a 42% increase from the 1970s to today, and according to World Health Organization estimates, by 2050, half the world's population will suffer from myopia.

In the past, myopia was mainly diagnosed in children for genetic reasons, usually passed from a parent who also had vision problems. Today, there is a continuous rise in the number of children diagnosed with vision issues and wearing glasses.

In the new era, screen time has increased, and the distance from them has shortened. While we used to watch TV from at least five feet away, viewing on a smartphone or tablet is much closer to the eye. Additionally, children spend most of their time indoors and play less outside. According to Dr. Yonina Ron, Chair of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Society, "This behavioral change has severe consequences for the vision of children and young adults, as the eye needs as much daylight as possible to grow and develop properly, at least an hour of outdoor activity each day."

Due to the worrying increase in the number of children diagnosed with myopia, the World Health Organization has declared this issue a pandemic.

It's important to note that children are particularly at risk of vision problems "because in the years when the eye is developing and growing, the rate of increase in myopia is accelerated. Therefore, children and teenagers are at greater risk than adults of reaching high numbers and developing pathological myopia (over minus 6), at a risk expected to stop with the completion of physical growth: ages 13-14 for girls, and 18-20 for boys," says Dr. Ron.

"While most parents tend to think that their child's myopia can be corrected with laser surgery when they reach adulthood," added Dr. Ron, "in fact, laser surgeries, much like wearing contact lenses or glasses, do not prevent the primary and most concerning issue: the ongoing increase in myopia over time. High numbers (over 5-6) put children and young adults at real risk of developing eye conditions like glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataracts, and more. Therefore, when we, ophthalmologists, assess the vision of a 4-year-old child, we must begin treatments today that will preserve that child's quality of vision into ages 50-60," she said.