Myopia to affect 5 billion by 2050; increased risk of blindness feared

Myopia is expected to strike nearly 5 billion or half the world’s population by 2050, and one-fifth of them may lose their vision due to high myopia, according to a recent study.

The projected increase in the number of individuals suffering short-sightedness accounts for a seven-fold growth, up from 1,406 million in 2000. Myopia is seen to become a leading cause of permanent blindness, with rates continuing on an upward trend.

Factors driving the upsurge in myopia cases include significant lifestyle changes, such as reduced time spent outdoors and increased near work activities, said researchers from Brien Holden Vision Institute, University of New South Wales Australia and Singapore Eye Research Institute.

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Source: mims.com