Warning of a Looming Vision Crisis: Gen Z’s Rising Myopia Epidemic Linked to Electronic Device Dependence”
A prominent eye surgeon has sounded the alarm, cautioning that Generation Z (Gen Z) individuals are increasingly at risk of near-sightedness due to prolonged exposure to electronic devices, potentially leading to a blindness epidemic. Recent findings published in The BMJ reveal a concerning surge in myopia rates worldwide, with a 46% increase in the UK over the last three decades and a staggering 59% spike among American teenagers, according to a study from California.
Gen Z
The potential consequences of this trend are particularly worrisome for Gen Z, born between the mid-1990s and mid-2010s, as they face mounting risks of developing severe vision problems, potentially leading to blindness. Dr. Joern Jorgensen, a world-renowned eye surgeon at Laser Eye Clinic London, warns that the situation is likely to worsen due to the insufficient release of dopamine in this generation.
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter crucial for vision in daylight conditions, is activated by exposure to natural sunlight. However, the modern lifestyle, characterized by increased screen time and limited outdoor activities, hampers the release of dopamine, contributing to a noticeable rise in myopia. The expert emphasizes that encouraging outdoor activities and sports during critical developmental stages can inhibit the growth leading to near-sightedness.
Unfortunately, reversing the impact of social media and extensive screen use is challenging, and Dr. Jorgensen identifies near work, such as prolonged time spent staring at electronic devices, as an additional damaging factor contributing to myopia.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the global trend toward worsening eyesight, as children spent more time indoors focused on screens. Studies in California and Sydney, Australia, emphasize the strong link between time spent outdoors and a lower risk of near-sightedness. Additionally, young children as early as age 4 or 5 are reportedly developing myopia due to increased screen time and reduced exposure to sunlight.
Projections from the World Health Organization indicate that by 2030, 40% of the global population will be nearsighted. The consequences of myopia extend beyond visual impairment, with serious cases increasing the likelihood of developing macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness, by 41%.
The financial burden on healthcare systems is significant, with treatments for conditions like age-related macular degeneration requiring costly interventions. Dr. Irfan Jeeva from Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield highlights the impact of increased screen exposure on visual, mental, physical, and emotional health, emphasizing the addictive nature of screens.
Efforts are being made to address this growing crisis, with calls for increased NHS funding to treat short-sightedness among children. The Global Myopia Awareness Coalition reports that 52% of children play outside less than their parents did, underscoring the need for urgent action to mitigate the risks associated with myopia in the younger generation.
