Key scientists, researchers and clinical experts from around the world gathered recently in Sydney, Australia to discuss the rapidly increasing prevalence of myopia, as well as the social and economic impact of the problem, amid reports that myopia is now the leading cause of blindness in older people in Tajimi, Japan and in Shanghai, China.
Professor B.A. Holden reported that BHVI had estimated that 5 billion people will have myopia in 2050, with almost a billion having high myopia. Professor Holden said that “vision impairment and blindness was rising in children from uncorrected myopia and in adults from the pathological consequences of myopia later in life.”
The meeting reviewed evidence on the epidemiology, aetiology, vision consequences, pathology, social and economic impact, morbidity associated with, and interventions that may be helpful in reducing the threat of myopia.
Dr Serge Resnikoff said that “a major contribution from the meeting was the definition and description of the retinal condition that causes blindness with myopia so that future surveys can accurately record the number of people with vision impairment and blindness from myopia.”
For more information about the meeting and Brien Holden Vision Institute, visit www.brienholdenvision.org.