Nearly half of the world’s projected population, or an estimated 5 billion people, will likely be short-sighted by 2050, a new study found.
The study, which was published in the medical journal Opthalmology, analyzed the existing research on nearsightedness since 1995. Based on existing trends, the authors estimate that the rate of myopia will rise from 23 percent today to 49 percent by 2050.
The projections, using data from the United Nations, were calculated by looking at the pace at which different countries were experiencing development and urbanization, which is accompanied by lifestyle changes resulting in people spending less time outdoors, a risk factor for nearsightedness.
It also looked at other environmental factors, such as the use of electronics, and high-pressure education systems such as those found in East Asian countries.
