Global myopia prevalence: trends, projections and the need for action
Myopia is a common cause of vision impairment worldwide and is expected to affect around 740 million children and adolescents by 2050, making it an important priority for eye health policy and planning.
Key Findings:
- The global prevalence of myopia in children and adolescents increased from 24% in 1990 to nearly 36% in 2023 and is expected to reach 39% by 2050.
- The burden of myopia is unevenly distributed. Higher prevalence is reported among adolescents, high school students, those living in East Asia, children in urban settings, and girls, highlighting the need for targeted and demographically informed interventions.
- The study notes that the rise in myopia was especially marked after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when school closures and a sharp increase in screen time may have contributed to faster progression in some settings.
- Accurate and routinely monitored prevalence data is essential for health advocacy, policy formulation, and equitable resource allocation, particularly in high-burden and risk regions where the evidence base has historically been limited.
The findings of this study show that childhood myopia is a growing public health issue and supports the case for integrating childhood myopia into national eye health strategies and global commitments towards the 2030 In Sight goals.
Reference: Liang J, Pu Y, Chen J, et al. Global prevalence, trend and projection of myopia in children and adolescents from 1990 to 2050: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Ophthalmol. 2024;109(3):362-371. Published 2024 Sep 24. doi:10.1136/bjo-2024-325427.
