By 2050, more than half of the global population will be nearsighted

has become a global problem. In two years from 1971 to 1972, about 25% of Americans aged 12 to 54 were diagnosed with myopia.

So far, this number has been 40-50%. But that is still nothing compared to Asian countries, when 80-90% of school-age children are nearsighted. In Seoul, myopia rate in 19-year-old men reached 96.5%.

The increase in nearsightedness took place before computers and smartphones were born.

These figures continue to increase at a dizzying pace. Many scientists believe that up to 2050, up to 5 billion people will need to wear glasses. This number accounts for more than half of the global population. What is the cause of this situation?

If you are a parent, you will immediately be reminded of the status of the day-to-day computer and phone, but the reason is not so simple. The increase in nearsightedness took place before computers and smart phones were born, at least since the 1960s. The most recent research shows that sitting in the house and rarely going out to contribute small to increase myopia rate. This is also very reasonable for Asian countries, when studying is too heavy for children to rarely go out and play.

Dr Adam Clarin, an ophthalmologist in Florida, said: 'The increase in myopia in recent years is too fast, so it is not possible to just use genetic factors to explain this situation. . Unfortunately, we do not have enough data to confirm what is myopia prevention factor. It is sunlight , it's focused on looking away, or that's what we haven't even thought of. "

Sitting in the house and rarely going out to work contributes significantly to increasing myopia rate.

The most favored hypothesis holds that when the neurotransmitter dopamine is released into the retina, it prevents passive regulation of the eyeball - a cause of nearsightedness. Light is the stimulating factor that releases dopamine into the retina.

Light passing through the eye is concentrated directly on the retina surface. But if the eyeball is stretched excessively, the focal point will be shifted up to the retina, instead of lying right into the retina, leading to blurred vision.

Usually, a eyeglasses that help adjust the focus are enough to solve the problem. However, up to 20% of nearsighted people suffer from serious illness, and they are at high risk of developing glaucoma, retinal detachment, and even permanent blindness.

A eyeglasses that help adjust the focus are enough to solve the problem.

So how much time to spend outdoors? There has not been much research to offer a strong recommendation, but according to researchers at the Australian National University, this time should be 3 to 4 hours a day.

Researchers are still trying to figure out how to solve this problem in myopia. Clearly, there are many mechanisms involved in the formation of myopia. Hopefully, in the near future, humanity will find a method of treatment thoroughly