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| Study: One in Three Kids Developed Shortsightedness During Lockdown |
One exigent universal ανία is already appearing on the horizon: myopia, or shortsightedness, which afflicts one of three children and prevents them from seeing at a distance.
As BBC reported, a global study showed the COVID-19 lockdown has caused children’s vision to deteriorate as they spend more time on screen.
The study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology conducted on approximately five million children and adolescents in 50 countries concluded that Asia currently had the world’s highest myopia rate figures-85 % of Japanese children and teenagers, 73% of teenagers South Koreans, more than 40% of China and Russia.
However, the Paraguay and Uganda children have only one percent of shortsightedness age rate. The UK, Ireland, as well as the US had near about 15 % myopia rate.
According to the researchers, the myopia rate was 32% between 1990-2019 and 36% between 1990-2023, and ‘there was a particularly notable uptick in shortsightedness post the pandemic.’
The researchers stated, “Recent studies indicate a possible link between the pandemic and vision decline; youth is especially at risk.”
The researchers also pointed out that shortsightedness will affect half of teenagers everywhere by the year 2050.
To avoid the worst effects of myopia, some UK specialists advised children between seven and nine years to play outside for not less than two hours.
What might be of interest is that myopia cannot be treated, although it may be worsened with or get better with glasses and contacts.