Hope for slowing and reversing the myopia epidemic

Image credit: aliissinisalu via Unsplash

Near-sightedness or myopia is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, fueled by lifestyle changes like excessive screen time and limited outdoor exposure. However, solutions to this growing epidemic are becoming clearer and they might be simpler than expected according to advances in research. Interventions such as encouraging more time outdoors, using low-dose atropine eye drops, and adopting specially designed lenses are showing promise in slowing myopia progression. These straightforward measures could play a vital role in protecting vision and addressing the vision challenges facing future generations.

Source

Liang J, Pu Y, Chen J, et alGlobal prevalence, trend and projection of myopia in children and adolescents from 1990 to 2050: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysisBritish Journal of Ophthalmology Published Online First: 24 September 2024. doi: 10.1136/bjo-2024-325427

Additional Reading

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435170-700-why-we-now-think-the-myopia-epidemic-can-be-slowed-or-even-reversed/#:~:text=Researchers%20hypothesised%20that%20lenses%20fooling,eye%20growth%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Mutti.

https://crstoday.com/articles/2020-jan/whats-driving-the-myopia-epidemic

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2024/09/19/myopia-nearsightedness-disease-report/75250072007/