Half of world's population might have myopia by 2050: Study

Our Correspondent

Palampur, November 19

Dr Sandeep Mahajan, a renowned ophthalmologist, today said that a new study had revealed that excessive use of computers and smartphones led to a higher risk and severity of myopia or short-sightedness, in children and young adults, which was a matter of concern. Dr Mahajan was interacting with students in Kangra on Thursday.

Later, addressing mediapersons, he said the study, published in ‘The Lancet Digital Health’ journal, stated that during the Covid-induced lockdown, millions of children around the world spent substantial time using remote learning methods following the closure of schools. The study was conducted by the Eye Research Institute at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and it stated that around half the global population was expected to have myopia by 2050, so it was a major health concern.

The open-access study was undertaken by eye health experts from Singapore, Australia, China, and the UK, including Professor Rupert Bourne from ARU. The authors examined more than 3,000 studies investigating smart device exposure and myopia in children and young adults, aged between 3 months and 33 years.

After analysing and statistically combining the available studies, it was revealed that high levels of smart device screen time, such as looking at a mobile phone, was associated with around a 30 per cent higher risk of myopia and when combined with excessive computer use, that risk rose to around 80 per cent.

There was an urgent need to further understand how exposure to digital devices could affect our eyes and vision, Dr Mahajan added.

Caption:- Dr Sandeep Mahajan