DFor several years, many experts have been warning about the global myopia epidemic, which continues to spread. By 2050, half of humanity could become myopic if nothing is done to slow its progression. France is far from spared: 15% myopes in 1950, 40% in 2020 and 60% in 2050, it is said the forecasts published in the magazine Ophthalmologyin 2016.

The explosion of myopia, long attributed to heredity and in reality accounting for only 10% of cases, is mainly due to our lifestyle: 90% of cases are due to social developments, especially among children, adolescents and young adults: more Time in close-up (screens, longer study time), less time spent outdoors (daylight is an established protective factor), disturbed sleep (shorter duration and less good quality of rest).

The situation for our children is becoming increasingly critical: in France, one in five people now suffer from myopia, and 510,000 children aged 6 to 15 suffer from progressive myopia. Since myopia worsens from year to year, there is a risk that it will become “severe” in adulthood and, in the long term, lead to serious complications (retinal detachment, cataracts, etc.), which in the most serious cases can lead to blindness. Because myopia is not just a simple visual defect, it is a disease in its own right that, without proper treatment, can cause serious disability and significant costs to society.

Expensive treatments

According to the International Myopia Institute, the potential loss of productivity due to myopia would cost $250 billion (more than €235 billion) in 2015. In addition, high myopia incurs high costs due to the cost of optical devices and possible complications that may require expensive procedures and treatments. Finally, we must not forget that significant myopia represents a daily disability for the affected person, often affecting self-esteem and professional plans.

If half of the French perceive myopia as inevitable (according to… “Barometer of myopia in France”, carried out in July 2023 (by Ipsos for the Institute for Medical Education and Prevention with a sample of 3,500 French people aged 18 and over), however, there are three effective measures to limit progression.

Impede Our children’s myopia is possible by encouraging them from a young age to develop simple reflexes: spending at least two hours a day outside in daylight; Limit the time you spend on nearby activities (especially screens). Make sure there is enough light for reading and keep a distance of at least 30 centimeters from your book or the screen. Also, take regular twenty second breaks every twenty minutes while looking into the distance. and finally go to bed early and get enough sleep.

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