A new global report has called for urgent, coordinated action to curb the rising prevalence of myopia – now recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a major public health challenge with profound social and economic impacts.
By 2050, it’s projected that half the world’s population will be myopic and one in ten will have high myopia, dramatically increasing the risk of sight-threatening eye disease and productivity loss. The report underscores that while the problem is global, the attention, data, and resources devoted to tackling it remain uneven.
The Global Myopia Public Health Summit report identifies several critical priorities for action:
- Close the data gap: Reliable, population-based myopia data remain scarce in many regions, particularly in Africa, South America, and parts of Europe. Without accurate data, public health planning and resource allocation are hindered.
- Increase awareness: Low public and policymaker understanding of myopia was identified as a universal barrier. In some countries, fewer than half of surveyed adults had heard of myopia, and misconceptions about treatment remain widespread.
- Improve access and affordability: Costly interventions and limited insurance coverage continue to restrict access to effective myopia control options, even in high-income countries.
- Strengthen practitioner education: Many eyecare professionals globally still rely on outdated correction methods, underscoring the need for more continuing professional development on evidence-based myopia management.
- Prioritise prevention: Increasing outdoor time – one of the most effective and low-cost prevention strategies – should be widely promoted through public health campaigns and school-based initiatives.
Research highlighted in the report shows that even a one-diopter reduction in myopia progression can lower the risk of myopic maculopathy by 40%. Interventions such as ortho-k, multifocal contact lenses, and low-dose atropine have proven efficacy in slowing progression, and when long-term complications are considered, these treatments are more cost-effective than standard single-vision correction.
Lessons from China and Taiwan
The report also draws attention to government-led approaches in China and Taiwan that demonstrate how coordinated policy can make an impact.
Since 2018, China has integrated myopia prevention into government performance indicators, introduced biannual school screenings, expanded public awareness campaigns, and implemented the ‘Double Reduction’ policy to reduce academic pressure and increase outdoor activity.
Similarly, Taiwan’s ‘Tian-Tian 120’ program, launched in 2010, encourages schoolchildren to spend at least 120 minutes outdoors daily – a strategy associated with a measurable drop in myopia prevalence among primary students.
While the long-term effectiveness of these initiatives is still being evaluated, they offer valuable lessons for other countries seeking to reduce childhood myopia rates.
A global call to action
The report urges global collaboration between governments, NGOs, professional bodies, and industry to ensure that myopia control is recognised as both a health and economic priority. It calls for:
- Inclusion of myopia management in national eye health strategies
- Increased funding for data collection and public education
- Support for practitioner training and workforce capacity
- Greater accessibility of cost-effective interventions
- Unified global messaging to drive awareness and policy action
For resource-limited settings, the WHO’s free WHOeyes mobile app was highlighted as a practical screening tool to support early detection and community-based monitoring.
The findings stem from the Global Myopia Public Health Summit, jointly organised by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), the Asia Optometric Congress (AOC), and Aier Eye Hospital Group, during the 19th International Myopia Conference in Changsha, China, in September 2024.
The event brought together 31 experts from ophthalmology, optometry, economics, NGOs, industry, and government across 17 countries to discuss regional challenges and formulate global strategies.
As the report concludes, building evidence, aligning messaging, and advocating at high-level political and health forums are essential to ensure that myopia prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation receive the attention – and financing – they urgently require.
