Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Myopia – Myopia Institute

  https://myopiainstitute.org/myopia/

  MYOPIA IS GROWING AROUND THE WORLD […] Myopia is a common cause of correctable vision loss, with uncorrected myopia remaining the leading cause of distance vision impairment globally. Individual studies show variations in the prevalence of myopia and high myopia across regions and ethnic groups. And recent landmark publication estimates that by 2050, half the world population will have myopia. […] The number of people affected by myopia is now increasing around the world, and is projected to affect fifty per cent of the world population by 2050, due mainly to lifestyle factors. […] Evidence is mounting that myopia is growing around the world, with a recent study estimating that on average, 30% of the world is currently myopic and by 2050, almost 50% will be myopic, that’s a staggering 5 billion people.

• #2 Review on the Myopia Pandemic: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8029638/

  Nearsightedness, or myopia, is becoming more prevalent worldwide. […] The prevalence of myopia exceeds 28% globally, and there are projections that approximately half of the worlds population, or five billion people, will have some degree of myopia by 2050. […] An increased emphasis on slowing myopic progression with effective childhood screening has been adopted by clinicians in primary care, pediatrics, and ophthalmology. […] Understanding the risk factors for myopia progression and the mechanisms controlling the eyes axial growth are key to developing therapies for myopia. […] Younger age at onset of myopia is the highest independent risk factor for myopia progression. […] The prevalence of myopia worldwide varies greatly based on regional and ethnic differences. […] Increased amount of time spent outdoors has been shown to be protective against the development of incident myopia.

• #3 An Urgent Need: Focus on Shortsightedness – Review of Myopia Management

  https://reviewofmm.com/an-urgent-need-focus-on-shortsightedness/

  It is undeniable the myopia epidemic is well and truly here. In many East Asian countries; for example, Singapore, China, and Taiwan, nearly 80% of school leavers are myopic. […] Although geographically disproportionate in prevalence, observations indicate that myopia is significant elsewhere too. For example, researchers from the National Eye Institute documented that myopia prevalence in the United States rose from 25% in the early 1970s to nearly 42% in 2004, an alarming 68% increase. […] The European Eye Epidemiology consortium estimated the prevalence of myopia to be approximately 31% (using the 2010 European standard population), in adults aged 25 to 90 years, but the prevalence was even higher in the younger participants at 47.2%. […] Furthermore, the statistics indicating future prevalence are troubling. It is estimated that nearly half the world will be myopic by the year 2050.

• #4 The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia | Journal of Physiological Anthropology | Full Text

  https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

  A systematic review and meta-analysis of 145 studies worldwide on myopia prevalence predicted that by 2050, half of the world population (4,758 million people) will be myopic and ~10% of the world population (938 million people) will have high myopia. […] The worldwide prevalence of myopia is on the rise for reasons that are still not well understood. […] High myopia increases the risk for other sight-threatening ocular conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataract. […] Hence, investigating the disease process, epidemiology, etiology, and risk factors for myopia in addition to emerging therapeutic strategies for this condition is essential in halting the myopia epidemic. […] The protective effect of time outdoors against myopia has primarily been attributed to the level and spectral compositions of daylight (i.e., high light levels, broad spectral distribution).

• #5 Myopia: A Global Epidemic – Retina Today

  https://retinatoday.com/articles/2019-sept/myopia-a-global-epidemic

  Myopia is the most common ocular disorder worldwide, it is the leading cause of visual impairment in children, and its incidence is increasing rapidly. In 2010, an estimated 1.9 billion people (27% of the worlds population) were myopic, and 70 million of them (2.8%) had high myopia. These numbers are projected to rise to 52% and 10%, respectively, by 2050. […] Myopia is a major public health concern in many East Asian countries, where the condition affects 80% to 90% of high school graduates. Of these individuals, 10% to 20% have sight-threatening pathologic myopia. […] The rapidly increasing incidence of myopia combined with its significant social and economic burdens have spurred research on causal factors, possible treatments, and efforts at prevention. […] The incidence and prevalence of myopia are certainly on the rise, and increasing time spent indoors and on near work during childhood both may play a part. Fortunately, intense research efforts on prevention are ongoing, and several treatments hold promise for slowing or halting the progression of this potentially devastating condition.

• #6 Review on the Myopia Pandemic: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8029638/

  Nearsightedness, or myopia, is becoming more prevalent worldwide. […] The prevalence of myopia exceeds 28% globally, and there are projections that approximately half of the worlds population, or five billion people, will have some degree of myopia by 2050. […] An increased emphasis on slowing myopic progression with effective childhood screening has been adopted by clinicians in primary care, pediatrics, and ophthalmology. […] Understanding the risk factors for myopia progression and the mechanisms controlling the eyes axial growth are key to developing therapies for myopia. […] Younger age at onset of myopia is the highest independent risk factor for myopia progression. […] The prevalence of myopia worldwide varies greatly based on regional and ethnic differences. […] Increased amount of time spent outdoors has been shown to be protective against the development of incident myopia.

• #7 Global Epidemiology of Myopia | SpringerLink

  https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-8491-2_2

  East Asia has been faced with an increasing prevalence of myopia and the same trend has been shown in other parts of the world to a lesser extent. […] The prevalence of myopia varies highly between East Asian populations and other clusters, with generally lower prevalence in rural areas than in urban areas. […] High myopia may be associated with several ocular complications later in life and can be one of the main causes of visual impairment. […] The prevalence of visual impairment attributed to PM is 7% in Western populations and 12-27% in Asian populations. […] Based on the current prevalence of high myopia in young adults (6.7-21.6%) in East Asian countries, the prevalence of visual impairment attributed to PM may increase in the future, as these young adults get older. […] The prevalence of myopia in children is high in urban East Asian countries.

• #8 The Ophthalmologist | Shutting Down Short-Sightedness

  https://theophthalmologist.com/subspecialties/shutting-down-short-sightedness

  A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of myopia projected that half of the worlds population will be myopic by 2050 a staggering five billion people. […] Although Europe currently has a lower prevalence of myopia than some of its neighbors (including East Asia and North America at 40 percent), it is no exception to the trend and the increasing rates are most noticeable in school-aged children. […] Epidemiological studies show an increasing rate of myopia in European populations. […] The major concern related to myopia is that up to 10 percent of children will develop high myopia, a serious risk factor for vision loss related with myopia, macular degeneration, and some serious eye disorders, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataract. […] Thus, increasing awareness of myopia prevention and controlling myopia progression strategies are becoming more important focuses in our routine ophthalmology practice across Europe.

• #9 Myopia epidemiology and demographics – wikidoc

  https://www.wikidoc.org/index.php/Myopia_epidemiology_and_demographics

  In Greece, the prevalence of myopia among 15 to 18 year old students was found to be 36.8%. […] A recent review found that 26.6% of Western Europeans aged 40 or over have at least 1.00 diopters of myopia and 4.6% have at least 5.00 diopters. […] In the United States, the prevalence of myopia has been estimated at 20%. […] A study of Jordanian adults aged 17 to 40 found that over half (53.7%) were myopic. […] The prevalence of myopia in has been reported as high as 70-90% in some Asian countries, 30-40% in Europe and the United States and 10-20% in Africa. […] In Americans between the ages of 12 and 54, myopia has been found to affect whites less than blacks.

• #10 New study finds short-sightedness is becoming more common across Europe | EurekAlert!

  https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/741573

  Myopia or short-sightedness is becoming more common across Europe, according to a new study led by King’s College London. The meta-analysis of findings from 15 studies by the European Eye Epidemiology Consortium found that around a quarter of the European population is short-sighted but it is nearly twice as common in younger people, with almost half (47 per cent) of the group aged between 25 and 29 years affected. […] The general rise in short-sightedness, including in a sizeable proportion of the working age population, has implications for both the health care system and the economy, conclude the authors of the study. […] More research is required to see if changing trends in childhood outdoor exposure, reading, and educational practices are affecting myopia development.

• #11 Myopia – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myopia

  Myopia, also known as near-sightedness and short-sightedness, is an eye condition where light from distant objects focuses in front of, instead of on, the retina. Myopia is the most common eye problem and is estimated to affect 1.5 billion people (22% of the world population). The prevalence of myopia has been reported as high as 70-90% in some Asian countries, 30-40% in Europe and the United States, and 10-20% in Africa. A 2024 study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology revealed that more than one-third of children worldwide were nearsighted in 2023, with this figure projected to rise to nearly 40% by 2050. The prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents has increased significantly over the past 30 years, rising from 24% in 1990 to almost 36% in 2023, with researchers noting a sharp spike in cases following the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighting regional differences in myopia rates.

• #12 Myopia – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myopia

  Myopia, also known as near-sightedness and short-sightedness, is an eye condition where light from distant objects focuses in front of, instead of on, the retina. Myopia is the most common eye problem and is estimated to affect 1.5 billion people (22% of the world population). The prevalence of myopia has been reported as high as 70-90% in some Asian countries, 30-40% in Europe and the United States, and 10-20% in Africa. A 2024 study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology revealed that more than one-third of children worldwide were nearsighted in 2023, with this figure projected to rise to nearly 40% by 2050. The prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents has increased significantly over the past 30 years, rising from 24% in 1990 to almost 36% in 2023, with researchers noting a sharp spike in cases following the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighting regional differences in myopia rates.

• #13 Why short-sightedness is on the rise

  https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220927-can-you-prevent-short-sightedness-in-kids

  Soaring rates of short-sightedness in children are alarming parents and doctors around the world. […] Rates of short-sightedness also known as near-sightedness or myopia continued to rise and rise. Today, Singapore has a myopia rate of around 80% in young adults, and has been called „the myopia capital of the world”. […] What happened in Singapore now appears to be happening all over the world. Countries with seemingly completely different lifestyles are unified by a startling phenomenon: rocketing rates of short-sightedness. […] If current trends continue, half the world’s population will be short-sighted by 2050. […] Myopia has risen dramatically among children in China to reach 76%-90% among older school children. […] Researchers warn that myopia is not a benign quirk. It is one of the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness, for example.

• #14 China: myopia prevalence among young people by education level 2022| Statista

  https://www.statista.com/statistics/1309613/china-myopia-prevalence-among-young-people-by-education-level/

  In 2022, 53.6 percent of all Chinese children and adolescents were suffering from short-sightedness. The prevalence of myopia was strongly linked to the children’s education level. While less than 15 percent of six-year-olds had the condition, one in three primary school pupils and four in five high school students were short-sighted. […] Although myopia is hard to prevent, spending more time outdoors can help stop it from getting worse. However, with a highly competitive education system, reducing the prevalence of the condition remains difficult for the foreseeable future.

• #15 An Urgent Need: Focus on Shortsightedness – Review of Myopia Management

  https://reviewofmm.com/an-urgent-need-focus-on-shortsightedness/

  It is undeniable the myopia epidemic is well and truly here. In many East Asian countries; for example, Singapore, China, and Taiwan, nearly 80% of school leavers are myopic. […] Although geographically disproportionate in prevalence, observations indicate that myopia is significant elsewhere too. For example, researchers from the National Eye Institute documented that myopia prevalence in the United States rose from 25% in the early 1970s to nearly 42% in 2004, an alarming 68% increase. […] The European Eye Epidemiology consortium estimated the prevalence of myopia to be approximately 31% (using the 2010 European standard population), in adults aged 25 to 90 years, but the prevalence was even higher in the younger participants at 47.2%. […] Furthermore, the statistics indicating future prevalence are troubling. It is estimated that nearly half the world will be myopic by the year 2050.

• #16 An Urgent Need: Focus on Shortsightedness – Review of Myopia Management

  https://reviewofmm.com/an-urgent-need-focus-on-shortsightedness/

  It is undeniable the myopia epidemic is well and truly here. In many East Asian countries; for example, Singapore, China, and Taiwan, nearly 80% of school leavers are myopic. […] Although geographically disproportionate in prevalence, observations indicate that myopia is significant elsewhere too. For example, researchers from the National Eye Institute documented that myopia prevalence in the United States rose from 25% in the early 1970s to nearly 42% in 2004, an alarming 68% increase. […] The European Eye Epidemiology consortium estimated the prevalence of myopia to be approximately 31% (using the 2010 European standard population), in adults aged 25 to 90 years, but the prevalence was even higher in the younger participants at 47.2%. […] Furthermore, the statistics indicating future prevalence are troubling. It is estimated that nearly half the world will be myopic by the year 2050.

• #17 New study finds short-sightedness is becoming more common across Europe | EurekAlert!

  https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/741573

  Myopia or short-sightedness is becoming more common across Europe, according to a new study led by King’s College London. The meta-analysis of findings from 15 studies by the European Eye Epidemiology Consortium found that around a quarter of the European population is short-sighted but it is nearly twice as common in younger people, with almost half (47 per cent) of the group aged between 25 and 29 years affected. […] The general rise in short-sightedness, including in a sizeable proportion of the working age population, has implications for both the health care system and the economy, conclude the authors of the study. […] More research is required to see if changing trends in childhood outdoor exposure, reading, and educational practices are affecting myopia development.

• #18 Epidemiology and Genetics of Myopic Refractive Error – Page 4

  https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/779114_4

  Significant insight into the etiology of myopia can be gained by studying the correlation with migration. Myopia prevalence is higher among second- or later generation Indian immigrants in Singapore than the first-generation immigrants, suggesting that country-specific environmental factors may contribute to the increasing prevalence of myopia in Asia. […] Results from cross-sectional surveys of younger adults at different time points provide further evidence of cohort effects in refraction. In a study of 421,116 Singaporean military conscripts aged 15-25 years, the estimated prevalence of myopia increased from 26.3% in 1974-1984 to 43.3% in 1987-1991. A further study has been undertaken involving 15,086 new male Singaporean military conscripts aged 16-26 years in 1996 and a repeat survey of 29,170 similarly aged males in 2009-2010. Overall myopia prevalence increased from 79.3 to 81.3% between 1996 and 2009, with a concomitant increase in prevalence of high myopia (13.1-14.8%).

• #19 Epidemiology of myopia

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3930282/

  Myopia is one of the most prevalent disorders of the eye. Higher myopia is associated with comorbidities that increase risks of severe and irreversible loss of vision, such as retinal detachment, subretinal neovascularization, dense cataract, and glaucoma. […] The scarcity of data from well-designed longitudinal cohort studies is still yet to be addressed. These studies have confirmed the previous data indicating that prevalence of refractive error varies according to ethnicity and geographic regions, and also point to an increase in myopia prevalence over the past half-century. […] Recent epidemiological studies also point to an increase in myopia prevalence over the past half-century. […] The exact pathogenic mechanisms of myopia remain unclear. Recent evidence suggests that myopia is likely to result from the combined and interacting effects of hereditary and environmental factors.

• #20 Epidemiology of myopia | Eye

  https://www.nature.com/articles/eye2013280

  The prevalence rates were found to vary with age. […] The data concerning incidence of myopia from longitudinal cohort studies is still more scarce. […] The exact pathogenic mechanisms of myopia remain unclear. Recent evidence suggests that myopia is likely to result from the combined and interacting effects of hereditary and environmental factors. […] Population-based prevalence studies showed increased prevalence of myopia in Singaporeans with higher levels of education, better housing, higher individual monthly income, and occupations associated with near work after adjusting for age and gender. […] Near-work activities, such as reading, writing, computer use, and playing video games, have been suggested to be possibly responsible for the remarkable increase in the prevalence of myopia as well as increased odds for myopia.

• #21 Nearsightedness: MedlinePlus GeneticsLock

  https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/nearsightedness/

  Large studies have identified more than 200 genes involved in nearsightedness, and additional studies are underway. […] Much of the recent increase in the frequency of nearsightedness worldwide is likely related to spending less time outdoors and doing more „near work,” such as reading, studying, and working on computers and handheld devices. […] The risk of developing this condition is greater for first-degree relatives of affected individuals (such as siblings or children) as compared to the general public. […] Like common myopia, high myopia seldom has a clear pattern of inheritance.

• #22 Review on the Myopia Pandemic: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8029638/

  The association between near work and incidence of juvenile-onset myopia has been under investigation for several years. […] Several studies have investigated the association between parental myopia and their childs risk for developing myopia. […] Preventative therapy for myopia progression currently has three aims: to screen patients with risk factors for myopia progression, to stabilize myopic progression, and to provide optical correction for healthy visual development. […] Successful treatments for reducing myopia progression have targeted reducing the amount of hyperopic defocus, in which light focused behind the peripheral retina.

• #23 Nearsightedness: MedlinePlus GeneticsLock

  https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/nearsightedness/

  Large studies have identified more than 200 genes involved in nearsightedness, and additional studies are underway. […] Much of the recent increase in the frequency of nearsightedness worldwide is likely related to spending less time outdoors and doing more „near work,” such as reading, studying, and working on computers and handheld devices. […] The risk of developing this condition is greater for first-degree relatives of affected individuals (such as siblings or children) as compared to the general public. […] Like common myopia, high myopia seldom has a clear pattern of inheritance.

• #24 The Science Behind Myopia by Brittany J. Carr and William K. Stell – Webvision

  https://webvision.med.utah.edu/book/part-xvii-refractive-errors/the-science-behind-myopia-by-brittany-j-carr-and-william-k-stell/

  There have been attempts to identify genes that may be important in myopia development. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which examine genetic variations between individuals to determine whether certain variants are associated with a specific trait (in this case myopia), have identified correlations between variations in certain genes and an increased risk of myopia. […] The recently published Consortium for Refractive Error And Myopia (CREAM) study is the largest international genome-wide meta-analysis on myopia and refractive error ever conducted. […] The results have demonstrated clearly that, while genetics may determine myopia susceptibility, environmental factors are powerful modifiers of eye growth, and they may override genetic predispositions. […] To understand the roles of environmental risk factors for the cause of myopia, scientists have turned to animal models.

• #25 Epidemiology and Genetics of Myopic Refractive Error – Page 4

  https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/779114_4

  Notably in east Asia, the population distribution of refractive error has undergone a myopic shift in only a few generations. Even those children without myopic parents will likely become myopic, some severely. The large and rapid increase in myopia prevalence in recent birth cohorts of east Asian origin and elsewhere where large differences in environmental pressures have been observed, coupled with the lower heritability estimates and parent-offspring correlations obtained from parent and sibling-offspring correlations in such populations, supports an important and major role for environmental factors influencing myopia.

• #26 The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia | Journal of Physiological Anthropology | Full Text

  https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

  Myopia, commonly known as near-sightedness, has emerged as a global epidemic, impacting almost one in three individuals across the world. […] The increasing prevalence of myopia during early childhood has heightened the risk of developing high myopia and related sight-threatening eye conditions in adulthood. […] This surge in myopia rates, occurring within a relatively stable genetic framework, underscores the profound influence of environmental and lifestyle factors on this condition. […] Epidemiological and interventional research has consistently revealed a compelling connection between increased outdoor time and a decreased risk of myopia in children. […] The environment exerts a significant influence on the development and progression of myopia. […] Improving the modifiable key environmental predictors like time spent outdoors and engagement in near work can prevent or slow the progression of myopia.

• #27 Understanding the Myopia Explosion: 6 Myths and Facts – Optometrists.org

  https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-myopia-management/understanding-the-myopia-explosion-6-myths-and-facts/

  The rate of myopia in the western world has doubled in the last 30 years. […] This is known as the myopia explosion. […] Myopia has also been linked to increased risk of retinal detachment. […] Already in 1993, the American Journal of Epidemiology found that myopia is a clearly relevant factor for retinal detachment. […] Researchers found that children who spent at least 14 hours per week, or two hours per day, playing outside in the sunshine were less likely to develop myopia than those who spent less time outdoors. […] Myopia management is a well-established area of eye care specifically dedicated to slowing down the progression of myopia. […] Many leading studies on the connection between screen time and myopia progression suggested a strong possibility that they are linked.

• #28 Epidemiology of myopia | Eye

  https://www.nature.com/articles/eye2013280

  The prevalence rates were found to vary with age. […] The data concerning incidence of myopia from longitudinal cohort studies is still more scarce. […] The exact pathogenic mechanisms of myopia remain unclear. Recent evidence suggests that myopia is likely to result from the combined and interacting effects of hereditary and environmental factors. […] Population-based prevalence studies showed increased prevalence of myopia in Singaporeans with higher levels of education, better housing, higher individual monthly income, and occupations associated with near work after adjusting for age and gender. […] Near-work activities, such as reading, writing, computer use, and playing video games, have been suggested to be possibly responsible for the remarkable increase in the prevalence of myopia as well as increased odds for myopia.

• #29 Review on the Myopia Pandemic: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8029638/

  The association between near work and incidence of juvenile-onset myopia has been under investigation for several years. […] Several studies have investigated the association between parental myopia and their childs risk for developing myopia. […] Preventative therapy for myopia progression currently has three aims: to screen patients with risk factors for myopia progression, to stabilize myopic progression, and to provide optical correction for healthy visual development. […] Successful treatments for reducing myopia progression have targeted reducing the amount of hyperopic defocus, in which light focused behind the peripheral retina.

• #30 Understanding the Myopia Explosion: 6 Myths and Facts – Optometrists.org

  https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-myopia-management/understanding-the-myopia-explosion-6-myths-and-facts/

  Research published in The Lancet Digital Health (October 2021), representing one of the most comprehensive studies on the subject, suggests a strong direct link between screen time and myopia. […] The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a limit of 2-3 hours per day of screen time for children. […] Eye care professionals therefore recommend limiting screen time and encouraging outside play.

• #31 Myopia – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myopia

  A 2025 South Korean analysis of 45 studies, involving 335,524 participants and largely based on data from children, adolescents and young adults, that looked at the use of digital screen devices such as mobile phones, game consoles and television, revealed that an additional hour of daily screen time is, on average, associated with 21% higher odds of having myopia.

• #32 Epidemiology of myopia

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3930282/

  Population-based prevalence studies showed increased prevalence of myopia in Singaporeans with higher levels of education, better housing, higher individual monthly income, and occupations associated with near work after adjusting for age and gender. […] Myopia, as the most common eye condition, has been shown to have diverse medical, social, and financial impacts. […] According to a most recent report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) primarily based on population data acquired in 2007, there were an estimated 158 million cases of distance vision impairment caused by uncorrected refractive error in 2007. […] Myopia, especially high myopia (often defined as SE6.0 D), has been associated with various ocular comorbidities. […] In conclusion, myopia is one of the most common disorders of the eye. Its prevalence is increasing alarmingly in East Asia’s rapidly developing economies, such as China. Various environmental risk factors related to socioeconomic status and lifestyle have been identified, and appear strongly associated with these changes.

• #33 Epidemiology of myopia | Eye

  https://www.nature.com/articles/eye2013280

  The prevalence rates were found to vary with age. […] The data concerning incidence of myopia from longitudinal cohort studies is still more scarce. […] The exact pathogenic mechanisms of myopia remain unclear. Recent evidence suggests that myopia is likely to result from the combined and interacting effects of hereditary and environmental factors. […] Population-based prevalence studies showed increased prevalence of myopia in Singaporeans with higher levels of education, better housing, higher individual monthly income, and occupations associated with near work after adjusting for age and gender. […] Near-work activities, such as reading, writing, computer use, and playing video games, have been suggested to be possibly responsible for the remarkable increase in the prevalence of myopia as well as increased odds for myopia.

• #34 Short-sightedness is becoming more common across Europe | ScienceDaily

  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150511113212.htm

  Myopia or short-sightedness is becoming more common across Europe, according to a new study. The meta-analysis of findings from 15 studies found that around a quarter of the European population is short-sighted but it is nearly twice as common in younger people, with almost half (47 percent) of the group aged between 25 and 29 years affected. […] The analysis of studies covering over 60,000 people, which was published in the journal Ophthalmology, also found a strong link between myopia and level of education, with myopia levels in those completing higher education approximately double those in people educated to primary school level. […] Myopia generally develops during childhood and adolescence. There is 'elongation of the eye’ which results in the light being focused in front of the retina, causing blurred vision that has to be corrected by glasses, contact lenses or laser eye surgery. High myopia additionally carries a risk of sight-threatening conditions such as retinal detachment, glaucoma and retinal degeneration.

• #35 The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia | Journal of Physiological Anthropology | Full Text

  https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

  The association between myopia and traffic-related air pollutants PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides was found in a study conducted among 15,822 Taiwanese children and 2727 Brazilian schoolchildren. […] The possible pharmacological causal pathway mediated via both nicotinic agonist and antagonist was also ill-defined. […] A large-scale study in China found a positive correlation between myopia and higher socioeconomic status indicators such as urban living, owning property, and duration of education. […] The conflicting evidence on socioeconomic status and myopia may stem from variations in the definition and classification of socioeconomic status, as well as unmeasurable factors like parental involvement and academic pressure. […] Myopia is a multifactorial and complex condition affected by several environmental factors in isolation or combination. […] While the refinement of environmental features and lifestyle remains the best approach for preventing or delaying the onset of myopia, today, a variety of optical and pharmacological treatment options are available to slow the progression of myopia.

• #36 The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia | Journal of Physiological Anthropology | Full Text

  https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

  A recent RCT evaluating the protective effect of 0, 40, and 80 min of additional time outdoors among 6-9 years old Chinese school children for over 2 years observed a dose-response relationship between the outdoor exposure time and myopia onset and progression. […] The substantial uptick in indoor time and a reduction in outdoor activities among schoolchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic-related home confinement was linked to a rise in both the incidence of myopia and the rate at which it progressed. […] Myopia prevalence is associated with urban areas and high population density. […] Myopia was more prevalent among children living in apartments rather than in separate houses, on higher floors compared to those living on lower floors, and in large dwelling spaces. […] Air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone are hypothesized to damage the ocular tissue, reducing the release of DA and causing systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, retinal ischemia, and resultant myopia.

• #37 Global Epidemiology of Myopia | SpringerLink

  https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-8491-2_2

  East Asia has been faced with an increasing prevalence of myopia and the same trend has been shown in other parts of the world to a lesser extent. […] The prevalence of myopia varies highly between East Asian populations and other clusters, with generally lower prevalence in rural areas than in urban areas. […] High myopia may be associated with several ocular complications later in life and can be one of the main causes of visual impairment. […] The prevalence of visual impairment attributed to PM is 7% in Western populations and 12-27% in Asian populations. […] Based on the current prevalence of high myopia in young adults (6.7-21.6%) in East Asian countries, the prevalence of visual impairment attributed to PM may increase in the future, as these young adults get older. […] The prevalence of myopia in children is high in urban East Asian countries.

• #38 The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia | Journal of Physiological Anthropology | Full Text

  https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

  A recent RCT evaluating the protective effect of 0, 40, and 80 min of additional time outdoors among 6-9 years old Chinese school children for over 2 years observed a dose-response relationship between the outdoor exposure time and myopia onset and progression. […] The substantial uptick in indoor time and a reduction in outdoor activities among schoolchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic-related home confinement was linked to a rise in both the incidence of myopia and the rate at which it progressed. […] Myopia prevalence is associated with urban areas and high population density. […] Myopia was more prevalent among children living in apartments rather than in separate houses, on higher floors compared to those living on lower floors, and in large dwelling spaces. […] Air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone are hypothesized to damage the ocular tissue, reducing the release of DA and causing systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, retinal ischemia, and resultant myopia.

• #39 Epidemiology of myopia

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3930282/

  Population-based prevalence studies showed increased prevalence of myopia in Singaporeans with higher levels of education, better housing, higher individual monthly income, and occupations associated with near work after adjusting for age and gender. […] Myopia, as the most common eye condition, has been shown to have diverse medical, social, and financial impacts. […] According to a most recent report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) primarily based on population data acquired in 2007, there were an estimated 158 million cases of distance vision impairment caused by uncorrected refractive error in 2007. […] Myopia, especially high myopia (often defined as SE6.0 D), has been associated with various ocular comorbidities. […] In conclusion, myopia is one of the most common disorders of the eye. Its prevalence is increasing alarmingly in East Asia’s rapidly developing economies, such as China. Various environmental risk factors related to socioeconomic status and lifestyle have been identified, and appear strongly associated with these changes.

• #40 Understanding the Myopia Explosion: 6 Myths and Facts – Optometrists.org

  https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-myopia-management/understanding-the-myopia-explosion-6-myths-and-facts/

  The rate of myopia in the western world has doubled in the last 30 years. […] This is known as the myopia explosion. […] Myopia has also been linked to increased risk of retinal detachment. […] Already in 1993, the American Journal of Epidemiology found that myopia is a clearly relevant factor for retinal detachment. […] Researchers found that children who spent at least 14 hours per week, or two hours per day, playing outside in the sunshine were less likely to develop myopia than those who spent less time outdoors. […] Myopia management is a well-established area of eye care specifically dedicated to slowing down the progression of myopia. […] Many leading studies on the connection between screen time and myopia progression suggested a strong possibility that they are linked.

• #41 What Qualifies as Extreme Nearsightedness? – NVISION

  https://www.nvisioncenters.com/nearsightedness/extreme/

  If left untreated and with age, high myopia can progressively worsen to a greater degree of refractive error. […] High myopia does not end in vision loss on its own, but the ongoing lengthening of the eyeball thins the retina and other tissues in the eye, making them more susceptible to other health problems and physical damage. […] People who have high myopia can also develop pathological myopia, also known as degenerative myopia. […] Having high myopia can increase the risk of developing more severe sight conditions later in life, including but not limited to cataracts, glaucoma, and detached retinas. […] Without treatment, high myopia can eventually lead to such a degree of refractive error that corrective lenses cannot provide clearer sight. […] High myopia, or extreme nearsightedness, is associated with an increased risk of other eye conditions over a patients lifetime. Further issues that may arise include the growth of abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina as well as changes to the vitreous cavity, located in the center of the eyeball.

• #42 The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia | Journal of Physiological Anthropology | Full Text

  https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

  A systematic review and meta-analysis of 145 studies worldwide on myopia prevalence predicted that by 2050, half of the world population (4,758 million people) will be myopic and ~10% of the world population (938 million people) will have high myopia. […] The worldwide prevalence of myopia is on the rise for reasons that are still not well understood. […] High myopia increases the risk for other sight-threatening ocular conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataract. […] Hence, investigating the disease process, epidemiology, etiology, and risk factors for myopia in addition to emerging therapeutic strategies for this condition is essential in halting the myopia epidemic. […] The protective effect of time outdoors against myopia has primarily been attributed to the level and spectral compositions of daylight (i.e., high light levels, broad spectral distribution).

• #43 The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia | Journal of Physiological Anthropology | Full Text

  https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

  A systematic review and meta-analysis of 145 studies worldwide on myopia prevalence predicted that by 2050, half of the world population (4,758 million people) will be myopic and ~10% of the world population (938 million people) will have high myopia. […] The worldwide prevalence of myopia is on the rise for reasons that are still not well understood. […] High myopia increases the risk for other sight-threatening ocular conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataract. […] Hence, investigating the disease process, epidemiology, etiology, and risk factors for myopia in addition to emerging therapeutic strategies for this condition is essential in halting the myopia epidemic. […] The protective effect of time outdoors against myopia has primarily been attributed to the level and spectral compositions of daylight (i.e., high light levels, broad spectral distribution).

• #44 The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia | Journal of Physiological Anthropology | Full Text

  https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

  A systematic review and meta-analysis of 145 studies worldwide on myopia prevalence predicted that by 2050, half of the world population (4,758 million people) will be myopic and ~10% of the world population (938 million people) will have high myopia. […] The worldwide prevalence of myopia is on the rise for reasons that are still not well understood. […] High myopia increases the risk for other sight-threatening ocular conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataract. […] Hence, investigating the disease process, epidemiology, etiology, and risk factors for myopia in addition to emerging therapeutic strategies for this condition is essential in halting the myopia epidemic. […] The protective effect of time outdoors against myopia has primarily been attributed to the level and spectral compositions of daylight (i.e., high light levels, broad spectral distribution).

• #45 Myopia and pathological myopia | RNIB

  https://www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/eye-conditions-az/myopia-and-pathological-myopia/

  Myopia, also known as being short sighted, causes your vision to be blurry in the distance but clearer when looking at things up close. […] Myopia is a very common focusing problem, and for most people it can be easily corrected using glasses or contact lenses to make vision clear and crisp. Most people with myopia have healthy eyes. […] Pathological myopia is different from simply being short sighted. Pathological myopia means that you are very short sighted and that this has caused degenerative changes to the back of your eye. Pathological myopia can cause a reduction in your sight that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. […] If you have myopia higher than -6.00D, you may be at greater risk of developing the following eye conditions: posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts.

• #46 A review on the epidemiology of myopia in school children worldwide | BMC Ophthalmology | Full Text

  https://bmcophthalmol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12886-019-1220-0

  High prevalence rates pose a major public health challenge due to visual impairment. […] Children with early onset myopia are the group at major risk, as they will have higher duration of the disease, higher myopia progression and will be at risk of developing high myopia plus myopic macular degeneration. […] A critical parameter for epidemiological analysis of myopia is age, as prevalence rates of myopia are known to increase significantly with age. […] In several countries the prevalence of myopia has increased in the last years. […] Risk factors influencing the prevalence of myopia are presented in Table 2. […] New risk factors, apart from outdoor time, such as the use of LED lamps for homework, dim light, low sleeping hours, reading distance less than 25cm and living in an urban environment were described in recent studies. […] It can be concluded that prevalence rates were shown to increase in Asia, but also in Europe and North America.

• #47 Epidemiology and Disease Burden of Pathologic Myopia and Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization: A Review – Review of Myopia Management

  https://reviewofmm.com/epidemiology-and-disease-burden-of-pathologic-myopia-and-myopic-choroidal-neovascularization-an-evidence-based-systematic-review/

  Pathological myopia is characterized by excessive and progressive elongation of the globe leading to impaired vision and blindness. […] The review found the prevalence of pathological myopia to be similar between various population groups. […] Overall, across six studies, pathological myopia was ranked as the first, second, and third most frequent cause of blindness. […] The prevalence of myopic CNV was greater in Asian populations (11.3 percent) compared to non-Asian populations (5.2 percent). […] The prevalence of pathologic myopia was reported to be 0.9 percent-3.1 percent, and the prevalence of visual impairment attributable to pathologic myopia ranged from 0.1 percent-0.5 percent (European studies) and from 0.2 percent-1.4 percent (Asian studies). […] Pathologic myopia is an important cause of vision loss worldwide, affecting up to 3 percent of the population.

• #48 Epidemiology and Disease Burden of Pathologic Myopia and Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization: A Review – Review of Myopia Management

  https://reviewofmm.com/epidemiology-and-disease-burden-of-pathologic-myopia-and-myopic-choroidal-neovascularization-an-evidence-based-systematic-review/

  Pathological myopia is characterized by excessive and progressive elongation of the globe leading to impaired vision and blindness. […] The review found the prevalence of pathological myopia to be similar between various population groups. […] Overall, across six studies, pathological myopia was ranked as the first, second, and third most frequent cause of blindness. […] The prevalence of myopic CNV was greater in Asian populations (11.3 percent) compared to non-Asian populations (5.2 percent). […] The prevalence of pathologic myopia was reported to be 0.9 percent-3.1 percent, and the prevalence of visual impairment attributable to pathologic myopia ranged from 0.1 percent-0.5 percent (European studies) and from 0.2 percent-1.4 percent (Asian studies). […] Pathologic myopia is an important cause of vision loss worldwide, affecting up to 3 percent of the population.

• #49 Epidemiology and Disease Burden of Pathologic Myopia and Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization: A Review – Review of Myopia Management

  https://reviewofmm.com/epidemiology-and-disease-burden-of-pathologic-myopia-and-myopic-choroidal-neovascularization-an-evidence-based-systematic-review/

  Pathological myopia is characterized by excessive and progressive elongation of the globe leading to impaired vision and blindness. […] The review found the prevalence of pathological myopia to be similar between various population groups. […] Overall, across six studies, pathological myopia was ranked as the first, second, and third most frequent cause of blindness. […] The prevalence of myopic CNV was greater in Asian populations (11.3 percent) compared to non-Asian populations (5.2 percent). […] The prevalence of pathologic myopia was reported to be 0.9 percent-3.1 percent, and the prevalence of visual impairment attributable to pathologic myopia ranged from 0.1 percent-0.5 percent (European studies) and from 0.2 percent-1.4 percent (Asian studies). […] Pathologic myopia is an important cause of vision loss worldwide, affecting up to 3 percent of the population.

• #50 Pathologic Myopia (Myopic Degeneration) – EyeWiki

  https://eyewiki.org/Pathologic_Myopia_(Myopic_Degeneration)

  Pathologic myopia represents a subgroup of myopia and affects up to 3% of the world population. […] The overall global prevalence is estimated to be 0.2%-3.8% with regional variability, but varying definitions of pathologic myopia used in early epidemiological studies may limit the comparability of findings. […] The prevalence of pathologic myopia related visual impairment has been reported as 0.1%-0.5% in European studies and 0.2%-1.4% in Asian studies.

• #51 Epidemiology and Disease Burden of Pathologic Myopia and Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization: A Review – Review of Myopia Management

  https://reviewofmm.com/epidemiology-and-disease-burden-of-pathologic-myopia-and-myopic-choroidal-neovascularization-an-evidence-based-systematic-review/

  Pathological myopia is characterized by excessive and progressive elongation of the globe leading to impaired vision and blindness. […] The review found the prevalence of pathological myopia to be similar between various population groups. […] Overall, across six studies, pathological myopia was ranked as the first, second, and third most frequent cause of blindness. […] The prevalence of myopic CNV was greater in Asian populations (11.3 percent) compared to non-Asian populations (5.2 percent). […] The prevalence of pathologic myopia was reported to be 0.9 percent-3.1 percent, and the prevalence of visual impairment attributable to pathologic myopia ranged from 0.1 percent-0.5 percent (European studies) and from 0.2 percent-1.4 percent (Asian studies). […] Pathologic myopia is an important cause of vision loss worldwide, affecting up to 3 percent of the population.

• #52 Epidemiology and Disease Burden of Pathologic Myopia and Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization: A Review – Review of Myopia Management

  https://reviewofmm.com/epidemiology-and-disease-burden-of-pathologic-myopia-and-myopic-choroidal-neovascularization-an-evidence-based-systematic-review/

  Pathological myopia is characterized by excessive and progressive elongation of the globe leading to impaired vision and blindness. […] The review found the prevalence of pathological myopia to be similar between various population groups. […] Overall, across six studies, pathological myopia was ranked as the first, second, and third most frequent cause of blindness. […] The prevalence of myopic CNV was greater in Asian populations (11.3 percent) compared to non-Asian populations (5.2 percent). […] The prevalence of pathologic myopia was reported to be 0.9 percent-3.1 percent, and the prevalence of visual impairment attributable to pathologic myopia ranged from 0.1 percent-0.5 percent (European studies) and from 0.2 percent-1.4 percent (Asian studies). […] Pathologic myopia is an important cause of vision loss worldwide, affecting up to 3 percent of the population.

• #53 New Report Recommends Myopia Be Classified as a Disease, Policies for Children to Spend Time Outdoors | National Academies

  https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2024/09/new-report-recommends-myopia-be-classified-as-a-disease-policies-for-children-to-spend-time-outdoors

  The report recommends that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention produce evidence-based guidelines, supported by federal and state departments of education and health care providers, promoting more time outdoors (at least one hour per day) for children. […] According to the report, important gaps in knowledge exist as to the impact of “near work” (such as reading, with the eyes focused on objects close to the face), both with and without electronic devices, on myopic eye growth. […] Multiple socioeconomic barriers exist for children’s vision care, such as uneven awareness of the importance of checking children’s eye health, difficulties gaining access to an eye care professional, and barriers to compliance with prescribed treatments. […] Moreover, an integrated, national data surveillance system is needed for collecting data on vision screening, referrals to eye care providers, demographics (age, race, sex, geographic location), and outcomes of referrals. This data system would enhance care integration and enable monitoring to ensure that follow-up care is received, especially in high-risk populations.

• #54 3 Understanding Myopia and Its Prevalence | Myopia: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment of an Increasingly Common Disease | The National Academies Press

  https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/27734/chapter/5

  Comprehensive and up-to-date data in the United States remain scarce. […] This scarcity can be attributed to various factors, including discrepancies in the definition, measurement techniques, and age of assessment across different states and studies. […] Concurrently, as lifestyle patterns evolve, particularly in developing regions, there is a foreseeable surge in myopia rates worldwide, one that will likely have significant economic implications.

• #55 3 Understanding Myopia and Its Prevalence | Myopia: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment of an Increasingly Common Disease | The National Academies Press

  https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/27734/chapter/5

  Comprehensive and up-to-date data in the United States remain scarce. […] This scarcity can be attributed to various factors, including discrepancies in the definition, measurement techniques, and age of assessment across different states and studies. […] Concurrently, as lifestyle patterns evolve, particularly in developing regions, there is a foreseeable surge in myopia rates worldwide, one that will likely have significant economic implications.

• #56 New Report Recommends Myopia Be Classified as a Disease, Policies for Children to Spend Time Outdoors | National Academies

  https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2024/09/new-report-recommends-myopia-be-classified-as-a-disease-policies-for-children-to-spend-time-outdoors

  The report notes that most research on myopia comes from international studies, with limited evidence available in the United States due to a lack of standardized definitions of myopia, irregular and inconsistent screening practices, and the use of varied assessment techniques. […] The report goes on to recommend that the CDC and state health departments collect consistent, harmonized data on the prevalence of myopia in the United States, prioritizing longitudinal surveillance on refractive error prevalence in children using standardized procedures.

• #57 New Report Recommends Myopia Be Classified as a Disease, Policies for Children to Spend Time Outdoors | National Academies

  https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2024/09/new-report-recommends-myopia-be-classified-as-a-disease-policies-for-children-to-spend-time-outdoors

  The report recommends that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention produce evidence-based guidelines, supported by federal and state departments of education and health care providers, promoting more time outdoors (at least one hour per day) for children. […] According to the report, important gaps in knowledge exist as to the impact of “near work” (such as reading, with the eyes focused on objects close to the face), both with and without electronic devices, on myopic eye growth. […] Multiple socioeconomic barriers exist for children’s vision care, such as uneven awareness of the importance of checking children’s eye health, difficulties gaining access to an eye care professional, and barriers to compliance with prescribed treatments. […] Moreover, an integrated, national data surveillance system is needed for collecting data on vision screening, referrals to eye care providers, demographics (age, race, sex, geographic location), and outcomes of referrals. This data system would enhance care integration and enable monitoring to ensure that follow-up care is received, especially in high-risk populations.

• #58 New Report Recommends Myopia Be Classified as a Disease, Policies for Children to Spend Time Outdoors | National Academies

  https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2024/09/new-report-recommends-myopia-be-classified-as-a-disease-policies-for-children-to-spend-time-outdoors

  The report notes that most research on myopia comes from international studies, with limited evidence available in the United States due to a lack of standardized definitions of myopia, irregular and inconsistent screening practices, and the use of varied assessment techniques. […] The report goes on to recommend that the CDC and state health departments collect consistent, harmonized data on the prevalence of myopia in the United States, prioritizing longitudinal surveillance on refractive error prevalence in children using standardized procedures.

• #59 Myopia – Myopia Institute

  https://myopiainstitute.org/myopia/

  The recent Sydney Myopia Study found 31% of 17 year olds were myopic, double the prevalence reported by the Blue Mountain Eye Study more than a decade ago. […] We estimate that myopia and high myopia will show a significant increase in prevalence globally, affecting nearly 5 billion people and 1 billion people, respectively, by 2050. […] Early intervention and detection in children with myopia is the key to reducing the impact of myopia on their long term ocular health and improving their future lives.

• #60 Review on the Myopia Pandemic: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8029638/

  Nearsightedness, or myopia, is becoming more prevalent worldwide. […] The prevalence of myopia exceeds 28% globally, and there are projections that approximately half of the worlds population, or five billion people, will have some degree of myopia by 2050. […] An increased emphasis on slowing myopic progression with effective childhood screening has been adopted by clinicians in primary care, pediatrics, and ophthalmology. […] Understanding the risk factors for myopia progression and the mechanisms controlling the eyes axial growth are key to developing therapies for myopia. […] Younger age at onset of myopia is the highest independent risk factor for myopia progression. […] The prevalence of myopia worldwide varies greatly based on regional and ethnic differences. […] Increased amount of time spent outdoors has been shown to be protective against the development of incident myopia.

• #61 Short-sightedness or myopia: kids & teens | Raising Children Network

  https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/short-sightedness

  If youre short-sighted, distant objects look blurry. […] Short-sightedness typically starts during puberty. It tends to get worse as children move into the teenage years and young adulthood. […] Short-sightedness can run in families. […] Short-sightedness is also called myopia and near-sightedness. […] All children should have an eye test before they start preschool, when theyre 3-5 years old. Most states and territories run free vision screening programs through local child and family health services or schools. […] If you think your child is short-sighted, take your child to see an eye specialist like an optometrist or ophthalmologist. […] Short-sightedness diagnosis involves various tests and tools. […] Children with short-sightedness might need to wear glasses. […] Spending time outdoors each day can reduce the chance of your childs short-sightedness getting worse. […] Spending time outdoors can lower childrens and teenagers chances of being short-sighted.

• #62 The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia | Journal of Physiological Anthropology | Full Text

  https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

  Myopia, commonly known as near-sightedness, has emerged as a global epidemic, impacting almost one in three individuals across the world. […] The increasing prevalence of myopia during early childhood has heightened the risk of developing high myopia and related sight-threatening eye conditions in adulthood. […] This surge in myopia rates, occurring within a relatively stable genetic framework, underscores the profound influence of environmental and lifestyle factors on this condition. […] Epidemiological and interventional research has consistently revealed a compelling connection between increased outdoor time and a decreased risk of myopia in children. […] The environment exerts a significant influence on the development and progression of myopia. […] Improving the modifiable key environmental predictors like time spent outdoors and engagement in near work can prevent or slow the progression of myopia.

• #63 Why short-sightedness is on the rise

  https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220927-can-you-prevent-short-sightedness-in-kids

  The earlier a child develops myopia, the more likely it is that they will have severe myopia in adulthood that can ultimately threaten their eyesight, by causing problems related to different parts of the eye such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy. […] Instead, lifestyle factors are thought to be more significant, in particular, a lack of time outdoors, and focusing on close objects for an extended period through an activity like reading. […] Education has been shown to cause short-sightedness, says Ghorbani-Mojarrad, referring to education as measured by school years. […] The most effective, evidence-based prevention strategy is also surprisingly low-tech, and applies to all countries regardless of their wealth or resources: more time outdoors. […] Researchers are still investigating exactly why being outdoors, and being in natural light, helps prevent myopia but for now, their perhaps most important conclusion is that it does.

• #64 Myopia in Children: Epidemiology, Genetics, and Emerging Therapies for Treatment and Prevention

  https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1446

  The increasing prevalence of myopia in pediatric populations highlights the need for early detection and intervention, as the associated risks can lead to severe long-term visual impairment and reduced quality of life. The prevalence of myopia is increasing globally, though different ethnicities are not equally affected, and the prevalence and burden of myopia among children vary across the globe. […] Public health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and ophthalmological associations, have acknowledged the diverse risk factors for myopia and have proposed preventive measures to mitigate high-risk behaviors. The WHO guidelines and research in East Asia recommend a minimum of 2 h of outdoor activity daily as a preventive strategy, indicating that children participating in such activities are 20–30% less likely to acquire myopia.

• #65 The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia | Journal of Physiological Anthropology | Full Text

  https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

  A recent RCT evaluating the protective effect of 0, 40, and 80 min of additional time outdoors among 6-9 years old Chinese school children for over 2 years observed a dose-response relationship between the outdoor exposure time and myopia onset and progression. […] The substantial uptick in indoor time and a reduction in outdoor activities among schoolchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic-related home confinement was linked to a rise in both the incidence of myopia and the rate at which it progressed. […] Myopia prevalence is associated with urban areas and high population density. […] Myopia was more prevalent among children living in apartments rather than in separate houses, on higher floors compared to those living on lower floors, and in large dwelling spaces. […] Air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone are hypothesized to damage the ocular tissue, reducing the release of DA and causing systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, retinal ischemia, and resultant myopia.

• #66

  https://www.lei.org.au/about/news/myopia-from-inconvenience-to-public-health-threat/

  10 October 2024 was World Sight Day and our researchers highlighted the escalating myopia (short-sightedness) epidemic and its potential long-term consequences, including blindness. […] Global rates of myopia are rising rapidly. […] If current trends continue, that number could rise to 50 per cent by 2050. […] The Lions Eye Institute recommends increasing outdoor time for children is a powerful way to slow the progression of myopia. […] Research shows that children who spend more time outdoorsaiming for at least two hours a dayare less likely to develop severe myopia. […] However, for those with severe myopia, the risks are far more serious. […] These individuals are at higher risk of developing complications such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degenerationconditions that can lead to permanent vision loss. […] By implementing this measure, the Lions Eye Institute hopes to not only reduce the prevalence of myopia but also prevent future cases of blindness due to myopia-related complications.

• #67 A review on the epidemiology of myopia in school children worldwide | BMC Ophthalmology | Full Text

  https://bmcophthalmol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12886-019-1220-0

  High prevalence rates pose a major public health challenge due to visual impairment. […] Children with early onset myopia are the group at major risk, as they will have higher duration of the disease, higher myopia progression and will be at risk of developing high myopia plus myopic macular degeneration. […] A critical parameter for epidemiological analysis of myopia is age, as prevalence rates of myopia are known to increase significantly with age. […] In several countries the prevalence of myopia has increased in the last years. […] Risk factors influencing the prevalence of myopia are presented in Table 2. […] New risk factors, apart from outdoor time, such as the use of LED lamps for homework, dim light, low sleeping hours, reading distance less than 25cm and living in an urban environment were described in recent studies. […] It can be concluded that prevalence rates were shown to increase in Asia, but also in Europe and North America.

• #68 Understanding the Myopia Explosion: 6 Myths and Facts – Optometrists.org

  https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-myopia-management/understanding-the-myopia-explosion-6-myths-and-facts/

  Research published in The Lancet Digital Health (October 2021), representing one of the most comprehensive studies on the subject, suggests a strong direct link between screen time and myopia. […] The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a limit of 2-3 hours per day of screen time for children. […] Eye care professionals therefore recommend limiting screen time and encouraging outside play.

• #69 Understanding the Myopia Explosion: 6 Myths and Facts – Optometrists.org

  https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-myopia-management/understanding-the-myopia-explosion-6-myths-and-facts/

  Research published in The Lancet Digital Health (October 2021), representing one of the most comprehensive studies on the subject, suggests a strong direct link between screen time and myopia. […] The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a limit of 2-3 hours per day of screen time for children. […] Eye care professionals therefore recommend limiting screen time and encouraging outside play.

• #70 Myopia in Children: Epidemiology, Genetics, and Emerging Therapies for Treatment and Prevention

  https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1446

  Pediatricians play an active role in myopia prevention. Pediatricians are particularly equipped to incorporate these epidemiological findings into patient care, highlighting the significance of lifestyle adjustments within a comprehensive preventative strategy for myopia. They can collaborate with families to create daily routines that emphasize outdoor activities and regulate screen usage in developmentally suitable manners.

• #71 Myopia (Nearsightedness): Causes, Symptoms &Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8579-myopia-nearsightedness

  Myopia affects a significant percentage of people. Its an eye focus disorder thats normally corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery. […] Myopia is common. According to one estimate, more than 40% of people in the U.S. have nearsightedness. This number is rapidly rising, especially among school-aged children. Eye experts expect this trend to continue in the coming decades. […] Risk factors for nearsightedness may include: A family history of myopia. Spending a lot of time doing close-up work, like reading or using screens like those on smartphones or computers. Not spending a lot of time outdoors. Certain studies indicate that this may be a factor in developing myopia. […] In most cases, providers can treat nearsightedness with glasses, contact lenses or corrective surgery, like LASIK. However, some cases of pathologic myopia can lead to more serious eye conditions, including: Cataracts. Glaucoma. Optic neuropathy. Neovascularization. Retinal detachment. […] Regular eye exams are important for everyone but are especially if you have high myopia or pathologic myopia. You should follow the schedule set out by your eye care provider.

• #72 The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia | Journal of Physiological Anthropology | Full Text

  https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

  A recent RCT evaluating the protective effect of 0, 40, and 80 min of additional time outdoors among 6-9 years old Chinese school children for over 2 years observed a dose-response relationship between the outdoor exposure time and myopia onset and progression. […] The substantial uptick in indoor time and a reduction in outdoor activities among schoolchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic-related home confinement was linked to a rise in both the incidence of myopia and the rate at which it progressed. […] Myopia prevalence is associated with urban areas and high population density. […] Myopia was more prevalent among children living in apartments rather than in separate houses, on higher floors compared to those living on lower floors, and in large dwelling spaces. […] Air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone are hypothesized to damage the ocular tissue, reducing the release of DA and causing systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, retinal ischemia, and resultant myopia.

• #73 Short-sightedness is on the rise among kids. Here’s what can be done | World Economic Forum

  https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/10/children-shortsightedness-myopia-screens-indoors/

  Current trends indicate that the severity of myopia is increasing, too, leading to something called 'high myopia’, which is when myopia progresses to the point of putting a person at risk of macular degeneration, cataracts and even glaucoma retinal detachment. […] Children are developing myopia at a younger age, increasing their chances of developing high myopia and its associated problems. The BJO study found that short-sightedness in children tripled between 1990 and 2023, and that the increase was 'particularly notable’ after the COVID-19 pandemic. […] The BJO study found that developing countries were predicted to have 40% of people short-sighted by 2050.

• #74 The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia | Journal of Physiological Anthropology | Full Text

  https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

  A recent RCT evaluating the protective effect of 0, 40, and 80 min of additional time outdoors among 6-9 years old Chinese school children for over 2 years observed a dose-response relationship between the outdoor exposure time and myopia onset and progression. […] The substantial uptick in indoor time and a reduction in outdoor activities among schoolchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic-related home confinement was linked to a rise in both the incidence of myopia and the rate at which it progressed. […] Myopia prevalence is associated with urban areas and high population density. […] Myopia was more prevalent among children living in apartments rather than in separate houses, on higher floors compared to those living on lower floors, and in large dwelling spaces. […] Air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone are hypothesized to damage the ocular tissue, reducing the release of DA and causing systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, retinal ischemia, and resultant myopia.

• #75 Childhood Myopia : Epidemiology , risk factors and prevention – Life News | The Financial Express

  https://www.financialexpress.com/life/childhood-myopia-epidemiology-risk-factors-and-prevention-3079123/

  It is very important to slow myopia progression before high myopia develops. […] The prevalence of myopia in children aged 5-17 years varies globally and is the highest in Asians (+18.5%), followed by Hispanics (13.2%), African Americans (6.6%), and Caucasians (4.4%). […] In a recent India study among children in Tamil Nadu, it was observed that myopia prevalence in the age group of 5-15 years has grown from 4.4% in 1999 to 21.9% in 2019, and which is now at almost 25%. […] Ophthalmologists and eye care professionals across the country are seeing more and more children walking into their practice with either higher levels of myopia when tested for the first time or large jumps in their existing prescriptions. […] COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in fewer hours spent playing outdoors and more time (around 6-7 hours) doing near work indoors; these factors have had an impact on the vision of our children.

• #76 Epidemiology of myopia

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3930282/

  Population-based prevalence studies showed increased prevalence of myopia in Singaporeans with higher levels of education, better housing, higher individual monthly income, and occupations associated with near work after adjusting for age and gender. […] Myopia, as the most common eye condition, has been shown to have diverse medical, social, and financial impacts. […] According to a most recent report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) primarily based on population data acquired in 2007, there were an estimated 158 million cases of distance vision impairment caused by uncorrected refractive error in 2007. […] Myopia, especially high myopia (often defined as SE6.0 D), has been associated with various ocular comorbidities. […] In conclusion, myopia is one of the most common disorders of the eye. Its prevalence is increasing alarmingly in East Asia’s rapidly developing economies, such as China. Various environmental risk factors related to socioeconomic status and lifestyle have been identified, and appear strongly associated with these changes.

• #77 Epidemiology of myopia | Eye

  https://www.nature.com/articles/eye2013280

  Outdoor activity, as either a potential prophylactic measure or a possible risk factor, has aroused considerable interest. […] Myopia, as the most common eye condition, has been shown to have diverse medical, social, and financial impacts. […] Myopia, especially high myopia (often defined as SE6.0 D), has been associated with various ocular comorbidities. […] In conclusion, myopia is one of the most common disorders of the eye. Its prevalence is increasing alarmingly in East Asia’s rapidly developing economies, such as China. Various environmental risk factors related to socioeconomic status and lifestyle have been identified, and appear strongly associated with these changes.

• #78 Epidemiology of myopia

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3930282/

  Population-based prevalence studies showed increased prevalence of myopia in Singaporeans with higher levels of education, better housing, higher individual monthly income, and occupations associated with near work after adjusting for age and gender. […] Myopia, as the most common eye condition, has been shown to have diverse medical, social, and financial impacts. […] According to a most recent report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) primarily based on population data acquired in 2007, there were an estimated 158 million cases of distance vision impairment caused by uncorrected refractive error in 2007. […] Myopia, especially high myopia (often defined as SE6.0 D), has been associated with various ocular comorbidities. […] In conclusion, myopia is one of the most common disorders of the eye. Its prevalence is increasing alarmingly in East Asia’s rapidly developing economies, such as China. Various environmental risk factors related to socioeconomic status and lifestyle have been identified, and appear strongly associated with these changes.

• #79 An Urgent Need: Focus on Shortsightedness – Review of Myopia Management

  https://reviewofmm.com/an-urgent-need-focus-on-shortsightedness/

  Importantly, there is a disturbing shift with myopia presenting at increasingly younger ages than before. […] This has significant consequences, as in addition to a higher number of years of their life spent living with myopia, there is a higher overall risk of developing high myopia and attendant complications as with a much earlier onset, the final net myopia is likely to be higher. […] However, as the wealth of evidence indicates, myopia is more than just a cosmetic concern or an inconvenience as higher levels of myopia is associated with the risk of complications such as retinal detachment, cataract, glaucoma and myopic maculopathy in adult life. […] With as many as 1.95 billion people affected in 2010 of which 277 million were highly myopic, myopia is costly. […] In just over a couple of decades, the need to address this epidemic has taken on an urgency, but promisingly, the need to act is being recognized as evidenced by the World Health Organizations report on the impact of myopia and high myopia.

• #80

  https://www.who.int/news/item/08-10-2019-who-launches-first-world-report-on-vision

  More than 1 billion people worldwide are living with vision impairment because they do not get the care they need for conditions like short and far sightedness, glaucoma and cataract, according to the first World report on vision issued by the World Health Organization. […] US$14.3 billion is needed to address the backlog of 1 billion people living with vision impairment or blindness due to short and far sightedness, and cataracts. […] Myopia (near-sightedness): Increased time spent indoors and increased near work activities are leading to more people suffering from myopia. Increased outdoor time can reduce this risk.

• #81 Short-sightedness is becoming more common across Europe | ScienceDaily

  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150511113212.htm

  The general rise in short-sightedness, including in a sizeable proportion of the working age population, has implications for both the health care system and the economy, conclude the authors of the study. […] More research is required to see if changing trends in childhood outdoor exposure, reading, and educational practices are affecting myopia development.

• #82 Myopia in Children: Epidemiology, Genetics, and Emerging Therapies for Treatment and Prevention

  https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1446

  The increasing prevalence of myopia in pediatric populations highlights the need for early detection and intervention, as the associated risks can lead to severe long-term visual impairment and reduced quality of life. The prevalence of myopia is increasing globally, though different ethnicities are not equally affected, and the prevalence and burden of myopia among children vary across the globe. […] Public health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and ophthalmological associations, have acknowledged the diverse risk factors for myopia and have proposed preventive measures to mitigate high-risk behaviors. The WHO guidelines and research in East Asia recommend a minimum of 2 h of outdoor activity daily as a preventive strategy, indicating that children participating in such activities are 20–30% less likely to acquire myopia.

• #83 Global Epidemiology of Myopia | SpringerLink

  https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-8491-2_2

  The myopia and HM prevalence among young adults is much higher in East Asia than in Western countries. […] The burden of HM is huge because HM can cause PM changes and visual impairment. […] The prevalence of PM among adults has been relatively low, but it is likely to increase in future. […] It is important to develop public policies and preventive measures to retard the epidemic myopia. […] In summary, the prevalence of myopia in children is higher in East Asian countries (49.7-62.0% among 12-year-old children) compared with non-Asian countries and other Asian countries (6.0-20.0%). […] The prevalence rates of myopia in adults in urban East Asian countries are only slightly higher than in Western countries. […] Current data show a relatively low prevalence of PM among middle-aged and elderly adults so far, and PM increases with age over 40 years and severity of myopia. […] Despite the relatively low prevalence in general population, PM is the major cause of blindness or visual impairment in both Asian populations and Western populations.

• #84 A review on the epidemiology of myopia in school children worldwide –

  https://research.sightsavers.org/gap-map/a-review-on-the-epidemiology-of-myopia-in-school-children-worldwide/

  The modern rise in myopia mirrors a trend with children in many countries spending considerable amounts of time engaged in reading, studying or, more recently, using computers and smartphones. […] Myopia has gained particular importance in epidemiological studies. It is estimated that 1.4 billion people were myopic in 2000, and it is predicted that by 2050 the number will reach 4.8 billion. […] A critical parameter for epidemiological analysis of myopia is age, as prevalence rates of myopia are known to increase significantly with age. […] In several countries, the prevalence of myopia has increased in the last years. […] Overall, authors conclude that low levels of outdoor activity and near work are well-established risk factors for myopia; this review provides evidence on additional environmental risk factors. […] Authors stated that new epidemiological studies should be carried out on implementation of public health strategies to tackle and avoid myopia.

• #85 An Urgent Need: Focus on Shortsightedness – Review of Myopia Management

  https://reviewofmm.com/an-urgent-need-focus-on-shortsightedness/

  To be effective, however, these require acceptance and implementation by the various stakeholders, i.e., parents, individuals, community, and health sectors. […] However, in spite of these numerous gaps in our understanding, failing to act and accepting that our modern way of life will inevitably result in myopia will make us guilty of failing our future generations.

• #86 The Ophthalmologist | Shutting Down Short-Sightedness

  https://theophthalmologist.com/subspecialties/shutting-down-short-sightedness

  The recent data on new eye-glasses, including DIMS and HAL, are cause for optimism given their considerable efficacy. […] The European Network for Myopia Prevention and Control was founded to share the knowledge and experiences in this field, but also to collaborate in organizing conferences, education and trans-European scientific projects. […] Myopia is definitely a concern in our country as its prevalence has increased to the point that it is now present in between 35-40 percent of our young adult population. […] Myopia is a condition of public health concern in Portugal. […] Myopia is increasing in prevalence in the UK, but not to the same extent as is being seen in East Asian countries. […] There are guidelines on daylight exposure and reading distance. […] The primary myopia control method in France is defocus glasses because the cost is generally acceptable, being approximately 100 higher than regular glasses, and is clearly easy to adapt. […] The epidemic of myopia has been featured on TV. […] There are several limitations to our knowledge on myopia, as the underlying causal mechanisms are still not fully understood.

• #87 An Urgent Need: Focus on Shortsightedness – Review of Myopia Management

  https://reviewofmm.com/an-urgent-need-focus-on-shortsightedness/

  Importantly, there is a disturbing shift with myopia presenting at increasingly younger ages than before. […] This has significant consequences, as in addition to a higher number of years of their life spent living with myopia, there is a higher overall risk of developing high myopia and attendant complications as with a much earlier onset, the final net myopia is likely to be higher. […] However, as the wealth of evidence indicates, myopia is more than just a cosmetic concern or an inconvenience as higher levels of myopia is associated with the risk of complications such as retinal detachment, cataract, glaucoma and myopic maculopathy in adult life. […] With as many as 1.95 billion people affected in 2010 of which 277 million were highly myopic, myopia is costly. […] In just over a couple of decades, the need to address this epidemic has taken on an urgency, but promisingly, the need to act is being recognized as evidenced by the World Health Organizations report on the impact of myopia and high myopia.

• #88 An Urgent Need: Focus on Shortsightedness – Review of Myopia Management

  https://reviewofmm.com/an-urgent-need-focus-on-shortsightedness/

  To be effective, however, these require acceptance and implementation by the various stakeholders, i.e., parents, individuals, community, and health sectors. […] However, in spite of these numerous gaps in our understanding, failing to act and accepting that our modern way of life will inevitably result in myopia will make us guilty of failing our future generations.

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