1 in 3 Children Now Short-Sighted after Covid Lockdowns Study Reveals

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A global analysis reveals a worrying trend in children's vision, with one in three now suffering from short-sightedness, or myopia, which impairs their ability to see distant objects clearly. The study suggests that the increased use of screens and reduced outdoor time during Covid lockdowns has contributed to this decline in children's eyesight.

 

Short-sightedness is becoming a pressing global health concern, with predictions indicating millions more children will be affected by 2050. The highest rates of myopia are seen in Asia, where 85% of children in Japan and 73% in South Korea are already short-sighted. In contrast, countries like Paraguay and Uganda have some of the lowest rates, with just about 1% of children affected. The UK, Ireland, and the US have similar rates at around 15%.

 

Published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, the study reviewed data from over five million children and teenagers across 50 countries. The findings show that myopia has tripled between 1990 and 2023, now affecting 36% of children globally. The researchers noted a particularly sharp increase following the Covid pandemic.

 

Myopia typically begins in primary school years and worsens until the age of about 20, when the eye stops growing. Several factors increase the likelihood of developing the condition, including living in East Asia, genetics, and early exposure to intensive education. In countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, where children often start school as early as two years old, they spend more time focusing on books and screens, which strains their eyes and leads to myopia. In contrast, children in Africa, where formal education starts later, at six to eight years old, are seven times less likely to develop myopia than their Asian counterparts.

 

The impact of Covid lockdowns, during which millions of children were confined indoors for extended periods, exacerbated the problem. "Emerging evidence suggests a potential association between the pandemic and accelerated vision deterioration among young adults," the researchers explain. By 2050, it is predicted that more than half of the world’s teenagers could be short-sighted.

 

The study also points to gender differences in the prevalence of myopia. Girls and young women are more likely to be affected than boys and young men, as they tend to spend less time outdoors. Additionally, girls’ earlier onset of puberty contributes to them experiencing short-sightedness at an earlier age. By 2050, it is expected that nearly 69% of children in Asia will be short-sighted, while even developing countries could see rates as high as 40%.

 

Experts advise parents to encourage their children to spend at least two hours outdoors every day, particularly between the ages of seven and nine, to reduce the risk of myopia. Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, clinical adviser at the UK College of Optometrists, notes, "There is something about being outside that is a real benefit to children." He also recommends regular eye tests for children between the ages of seven and ten, even if they have previously had their vision checked.

 

Myopia often runs in families, meaning children of short-sighted parents are three times more likely to develop the condition. While myopia cannot be cured, it can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Special lenses that slow the progression of myopia in young children are also available, but they come with a high cost. In Asia, where these lenses are popular, innovative approaches like glass classrooms, which simulate outdoor learning environments, are also being used to combat the issue.

 

The rising rates of myopia among children raise concerns for the future, as it could lead to an increase in age-related eye conditions later in life.

 

Based on a report from: The Times | BBC | CNN 2024-09-27

 

 

 

[Tug]

To much porn,heck when I was a youngster the best ya could do was a National Geographic……

[JonnyF]

So many negative effects of the lockdowns. 

 

Poor decisions that will be felt for decades to come.