Today, June 6, marks National Eye Care Day in the Chinese mainland, an annual initiative dedicated to raising public awareness about eye health and the prevention of vision-related diseases. As vision impairment becomes a mounting global challenge, experts are urging people of all ages to prioritize their ocular health.
The scale of the issue is significant. According to the World Health Organization, at least 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from near or distance vision impairment, with approximately one billion of these cases being preventable or currently untreated.
Vision Challenges Across the Lifespan
In a recent discussion regarding current trends, Zou Haidong, vice president of Shanghai General Hospital and director of the Shanghai Eye Disease Prevention & Treatment Center, highlighted that vision risks evolve as we age.
For children and adolescents under 18, myopia remains the primary concern. Among the working-age population, the prevalence of eye strain due to prolonged screen use is rising. Interestingly, presbyopia—once considered a condition of later life—is increasingly appearing in individuals in their 30s. For those over 60, cataracts continue to be the leading cause of blindness in the Chinese mainland.
The Fight Against Myopia
Zou noted that the high prevalence of myopia is driven by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While East Asian populations often possess a higher prevalence of myopia-related genes, lifestyle changes have exacerbated the trend. Increased screen time, limited outdoor activity, poor sleep, and unhealthy diets are key contributors.
However, there is progress. Since the Chinese mainland began monitoring student myopia rates in 2018, trends have shown a gradual improvement. After reaching a prevalence rate of around 51.9% in 2022, the rate has declined by one to two percentage points annually. Currently, the myopia rate in the Chinese mainland remains slightly lower than those in Japan and the ROK.
Prevention and Systemic Solutions
One of the most effective tools in preventing myopia is simple: spending time outdoors. Research indicates that children should spend at least 15 minutes outdoors at a time under light conditions of approximately 2,000 lux to provide meaningful protection.
Zou emphasized that prevention is far more effective than treatment, as no current medical intervention can completely halt the progression of myopia once it begins. To address this, the Chinese mainland has implemented a multi-sectoral approach. In cities like Shanghai, a "closed-loop" management system has been established, coordinating education, health, and sports authorities to ensure children are screened at school, diagnosed at local hospitals, and referred to specialists when necessary.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
