The Importance of Vision Health
You use your eyes every waking second, but how often do you consciously take care of them? Today, June 6, marks National Eye Care Day in China, an annual campaign dedicated to raising public awareness about eye health and the prevention of vision-related diseases. As vision impairments become a growing global concern, health experts are urging people of all ages to prioritize their ocular wellness.
The scale of the challenge is significant. According to the World Health Organization, at least 2.2 billion people worldwide live with near or distance vision impairment. Perhaps more concerning is that at least one billion of these cases could have been prevented or remain untreated, highlighting a critical gap in global healthcare accessibility and awareness.
Age-Specific Challenges in Vision
In a recent discussion on eye health, Zou Haidong, vice president of Shanghai General Hospital and director of the Shanghai Eye Disease Prevention & Treatment Center, outlined how vision challenges evolve across different stages of life. For children and adolescents under 18, myopia remains the most pressing concern. Among the working-age population, eye strain driven by prolonged screen use is increasingly prevalent. Interestingly, presbyopia—once considered a condition of older age—is now appearing in individuals as young as their 30s. For those over 60, cataracts remain the primary cause of blindness on the Chinese mainland.
Understanding the Myopia Surge
The rise of myopia is attributed to a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Experts note that East Asian populations often possess a higher prevalence of myopia-related genes compared to many Western populations. However, modern lifestyle changes have accelerated the trend. Increased screen time, a reduction in outdoor activities, unhealthy dietary habits, and insufficient sleep have all fueled the progression of vision impairment.
Since 2018, the Chinese mainland has closely monitored myopia rates among students. According to Zou, the prevalence rate stood at approximately 51.9% in 2022 and has since seen a steady decline of one to two percentage points annually. While the challenge remains substantial, current data suggests that myopia rates on the Chinese mainland are slightly lower than those in Japan and South Korea.
Proactive Prevention and Systemic Solutions
One of the most effective defenses against myopia is simple: spending time outdoors. Research indicates that children should spend at least 15 minutes outdoors at a time, under light conditions of around 2,000 lux, to provide meaningful protection against the development of myopia.
Zou emphasized that prevention is the most effective strategy, as no treatment can completely halt the progression of myopia once it has begun. To combat this, the Chinese mainland has implemented a multi-sectoral approach involving education, health, and sports authorities. In cities like Shanghai, a coordinated closed-loop management system has been established: children are screened at school, diagnosed at local hospitals, and referred to higher-level medical institutions when necessary, ensuring comprehensive care for the younger generation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
