One in Three Children Short Sighted After Covid Lockdowns: British Journal of Ophthalmology
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Children's eyesight is worsening globally, with one in three now suffering from short-sightedness, or myopia, according to a new study published in British Journal of Ophthalmology. The researchers reviewed data from over five million children and teens across 50 countries on six continents.
The highest rates are in Asia - 85% of children in Japan and 73% in South Korea are short-sighted with more than 40% affected in China and Russia.
The report found that global myopia rates tripled from 1990 to 2023, now affecting 36% of children, with a significant spike after the pandemic. Myopia typically begins in primary school and worsens until the eye stops growing, around age 20.
While genetics contribute to eye health, other factors like environmental factors, especially in East Asia, also increase the risk of myopia. In places like Singapore and Hong Kong, children spend more time focusing on books and screens, which strains their eye muscles, contributing to the condition.
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