Myopia is Growing Around the world
Photo: Review of Optometry
What is Myopia?
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.
Myopia Global Trends
Myopia has been the subject of major international research for decades, directed towards understanding the development of this condition and how we can prevent, or slow it down.
How many people are affected by 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.
What are the symptoms of Myopia?
Myopia has also been shown to increase the risk of sight threatening complications for example, glaucoma, cataract and retinal detachment. An unknown but frequent cause of vision impairment and blindness in East Asia and Europe is myopic macular degeneration.
The WHO held a Global Scientific Meeting on Myopia at the Brien Holden Vision Institute in Sydney, Australia in 2015 to address the public health issue of myopia, the classification of myopia, evidence for treatments, and the need to take action.
Where is Myopia most common?
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.
Myopia is most common in East and South East Asia where countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China and Japan have a prevalence of myopia of 80 to 90 %. But myopia prevalence is rising and the USA has reported a prevalence of 42%, almost doubling in three decades.
Global Snapshot
This is a snapshot of the rate of myopia seen in children based on recent studies. (Right). More recent studies indicate that myopic macular degeneration is becoming a serious ocular health issue, where it has been reported one of the major causes of permanent blindness in Rotterdam, Copenhagen, China, Chinese Taipei, and Japan.
Myopia Key Stats
Almost 5 billion myopes by 2050
Almost 1 billion high myopes by 2050
Myopia to become a leading cause of permanent blindness worldwide
Significant implications for planning comprehensive eye care services globally
Sources from image stats: McCullough et al. 2016 (UK)
Future Epidemic
Rising Prevalence of Myopia: 2010 - 2050
The recent Sydney Myopia Study found 31% of 17 year old’s were myopic, double the prevalence reported by the Blue Mountain Eye Study more than a decade ago. But in the future, even nations which have little myopia today, will be severely affected. And so good future planning of eye care service and delivery will be required.
Impact of Rising Cases of Myopia
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. These have important implications for planning comprehensive eye care services, including refractive services such as spectacles and managing and preventing myopic-related ocular complications and vision loss among people with high myopia.
Learn More about Myopia
Eyecare professionals: Join us for "Myopia Management: The Science and Clinical Application" with Dr. Ariel Cerenzie. Click this link to Register!
Credits to myopiainstitute.org for this article
