Five Billion People Might Develop Myopia By 2050~~ Researchers

According to a new study carried out at the University of New South Wales and the Singapore Eye Research Institute by researchers, five billion people in the world may become myopic (nightsight) by 2050 and about one billion (one-fifth to be precise) of these individuals are likely to lose their vision entirely as well. Currently, estimates of two billion people in the world have been diagnosed with myopia.

The acting CEO of UNSW’s Brien Holden Vision Institute, Professor Kovin Naidoo, in a press release said that it is very essential for schools, health care provider and government to work together to help protect vision for both children and adults.

“Firstly, the public must be made aware that this threat exists. Secondly, we need researchers and public health practitioners to develop effective solutions. Thirdly, eye care professionals need to be better equipped to manage patients at risk,” Naidoo said in a press release.

“We also need to ensure our children receive a regular eye examination from an optometrist or ophthalmologist, preferably each year, so that preventative strategies can be employed if they are at risk. These strategies may include increased time outdoors and reduced time spent on near based activities including electronic devices that require constant focusing up close. Furthermore there are other options such as specially designed spectacle lenses and contact lenses or drug interventions but increased investment in research is needed to improve the efficacy and access of such interventions.”

For most individuals myopia is simply an eye problem that can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. But for those people expected to develop high myopia among them, it also means a higher risk of other eye diseases such as retinal detachment, cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration, which could lead to vision loss. Generally speaking, the researchers have made us to understand that nearsightedness will be the major leading cause of blindness by 2050.

As an optometrist what are you doing to arrest this ugly incident from occurring by 2050? I know you will say 2050 is still far, but believe me it’s pretty much closer than you think. Drop your comments below!

Photo Credit: smartoptometry 

Source: Ophthalmology journal