Improved education may be contributing to growing rates of short-sightedness across Europe, researchers have reported.
About 25% of people in Europe now suffer from myopia – and the problem is increasingly common among young people, according to a study by King’s College, London, UK.
As many as 49% of 20-year-olds suffer from short-sightedness, the researchers say.
Reporting in the journal Ophthalmology, the researchers say rising rates of education are not the only cause.
They say the amount of time young people spend on computers and reduced amounts of time spent out of doors may contribute.
Researchers analysed 15 pieces of research involving more than 60,000 people.
Researcher Katie Williams said: "We knew myopia was becoming more common in certain parts of the world – almost eight in ten young people are affected in urban East Asia – but it is very interesting to find that the same pattern is being seen here in Europe.
"This has major implications for the future burden from this eye disease which can threaten sight in older age, particularly in very short-sighted people."
Fellow researcher Professor Chris Hammond said: "We do not fully understand the reasons for this shift, given that this study shows the rising levels of education are not solely to blame. More research is required to see if changing trends in childhood outdoor exposure, reading, and educational practices are affecting myopia development.
"While this study was on adults, we do not yet know the impact of the recent rapid rise in use of computers, tablets and mobile phones on visual development in children."
Williams et al. Increasing Prevalence of Myopia in Europe and the Impact of Education Ophthalmology 11 May 2015
Leave a Reply