Myopia may afflict half the world’s people by 2050

Mom was right: Sitting in front of the television might make us blind. According to a study published in the Ophthalmology Journal, five billion people, or about 50 percent of the global population, might suffer from myopia (shortsightedness) by 2050. Moreover, the number of people with vision loss from severe shortsightedness is predicted to increase seven-fold from 2000 to 2050.

Using a collection of 146 articles and surveys accumulated from 1995 until the present, researchers charted the prevalence of myopia over time. Following these trends, the scientists extrapolated the trend in myopic occurrences until the year 2050. Scientist also stratified the data based on the severity of myopia as well as geographic bias. The data shows a clear upward trend in the number of shortsighted patients in the past 20 years. With a confidence level of 95 percent, future projections show that an even greater number of myopia cases is expected to occur in the future.

The rapid increase in shortsightedness is mostly found in the high-income Asian-Pacific, East Asian and North American regions, with the percent of patients suffering from myopia in North America increasing from 28.3 percent to 58.4 percent. Furthermore, researchers found a generational gap within their data; The bulk of myopia cases is expected to arise in people aged 40 and under. Environmental factors are mainly credited as the cause of the rise of myopia, although minute genetic linkages are also apparent. These environmental factors include decreased time spent outdoors, changes in exposure to light, increased use of electronic device and dietary factors.

Scientists have also shown a link between high myopic (shortsighted) populations and what they refer to as “ high-pressure educational systems.” These trends have become even clearer among youth in countries such as Singapore, Korea, Taiwan and China.

The researchers’ projections regarding myopia, although they may appear daunting, are not set in stone. As explained in the study, they are mere estimates and are subject to change. Globally, multiple interventions to control myopia are already in place. Currently, $202 billion is spent annually on optic refraction error care around the world. This number is expected to grow as more of the population becomes myopic. The researchers suggested that future interventions include annual optic check-ups as well as early education in optic health. In the future, maybe more children should listen to their moms and look away from the screen and go outside.