Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Half The World's People To Become Myopic By 2050, Says Study

Darpan News Desk IANS, 18 Feb, 2016 11:15 AM
    Nearly five billion people, that is about half the world's population, are poised to become myopic or short-sighted by the end of 2050, indicates a study.
     
    Also called nearsightedness, myopia is a vision condition in which people can see clearly the objects that are close to eyes but objects far away appear to be blurred to the sight. 
     
    Acting like a silent epidemic, myopia is all set to become the leading cause of permanent blindness globally 
     
    With up to one billion people at an increased risk of blindness, myopia is all set to become the leading cause of permanent blindness globally. 
     
    Further, with the findings suggesting that the US will have 260 million myopes by 2050, up from the 90 million in 2000, and Canada will see 66 million high myopes by 2050, up from the 11 million in 2000, the vision loss from high myopia is expected to increase seven-fold from 2000 to 2050.
     
    The rapid increase in the prevalence of myopia globally is attributed to "environmental factors, lifestyle changes resulting from a combination of decreased time outdoors and increased near work activities, among other factors", said the researchers.
     
    Parents need to ensure that the children's eyes are regularly checked, improve time outdoors and moderate time on near based activities, including electronic devices.
     
    Also, comprehensive eye care services is needed to check the rapid increase in high myopes, along with the development of treatments to control the progression of myopia and prevent people from becoming highly myopic, the researchers suggested in the study published in the journal Ophthalmology revealed.
     
    "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," said Kovin Naidoo, a professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Ex-Decades-long Prisoner Romeo Philion Dies After Lengthy Illness

    Ex-Decades-long Prisoner Romeo Philion Dies After Lengthy Illness
    The Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted, who fought to have Phillion exonerated, said he died Monday, a day after his admission to hospital.

    Ex-Decades-long Prisoner Romeo Philion Dies After Lengthy Illness

    Most Women Unaware Of Alcohol's Role In Breast Cancer

    Most women are unaware that drinking alcohol or being obese could increase their risk of developing breast cancer, shows a Britain-based survey.

    Most Women Unaware Of Alcohol's Role In Breast Cancer

    Sex Three-four Times A Week Can Clear Kidney Stones: Study

    Sex Three-four Times A Week Can Clear Kidney Stones: Study
    Suffering from kidney stones? Well, stop gulping down beer after beer or other drinks to pass it out and prepare yourself for better action between the sheets tonight.

    Sex Three-four Times A Week Can Clear Kidney Stones: Study

    Diabetic? Daily Glass Of Red Wine Can Improve Heart Health

    Diabetic? Daily Glass Of Red Wine Can Improve Heart Health
    A glass of red wine every night may help people with Type-2 diabetes manage their cholesterol and cardiac health, suggests new research.

    Diabetic? Daily Glass Of Red Wine Can Improve Heart Health

    Don't Give Flu Shot A Miss This Season Based On Last Year's Failure, Doctors Say

    Don't Give Flu Shot A Miss This Season Based On Last Year's Failure, Doctors Say
    It's that time of year again, time for Canadians to think about getting that jab in the arm to protect themselves against the dreaded winter scourge — the flu.

    Don't Give Flu Shot A Miss This Season Based On Last Year's Failure, Doctors Say

    Few Pregnancy Deaths But Maternal Health Challenges Remain: Report

    The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics is releasing a report on Tuesday at its triennial congress saying "more work needs to be done."

    Few Pregnancy Deaths But Maternal Health Challenges Remain: Report