Study shows social, economic impacts of visual defects in China

The results of what is believed to be the first domestic white paper on China’s national vision health was released just prior to China’s National Eye Care Day on 6 June. Professor Li Ling, head of Peking University’s China Center for Health Development, conducted the study.According to the research, the social and economic costs caused by visual defects accounted for 1.3 per cent of China’s GDP – US$103 billion (AU$139.5 billion) – in 2012. By 2020, nearly 700 million people are expected to have myopia in China – twice the population of the US. On one hand, the number of youths with myopia in China is high, which can threaten the vision health of present and future generations and potentially negatively impact society, the economy and security of the country, Prof Li Ling commented. On the other hand, patients are experiencing age-related visual defects at a much younger age, which can be a heavy burden to a society that is seeing significant growth in its elderly population. Supported by the philanthropic SSCL Foundation – Essilor Fund in China, and endorsed by the Vision Impact Institute, the report develops a complete action framework for China and includes a call for government regulation to promote the sustainable development of the optical industry.