Eye health awareness grows amid rising childhood myopia rates

In observance of ‘Eye Care Day’ on October 10, experts and businesses are highlighting the rising prevalence of myopia, particularly among children. Saiko Matsumura, an associate professor at Toho University’s Department of Ophthalmology, warned of a significant trend toward younger onset of myopia. Data indicates the average age for children becoming myopic dropped from 10.6 years in 2005 to 7.6 years in 2021.

Early-onset myopia increases the risk of developing high myopia later in life. Factors contributing to this trend include increased use of digital devices, early education, and reduced outdoor activity. Recommended preventative measures include taking breaks every 30 minutes to look into the distance, maintaining a distance of at least 30 centimeters from screens, and increasing outdoor time to approximately two hours per day.

In the corporate sector, Japan Knowledge Space has introduced welfare programs to support employee eye health. To combat eye strain caused by prolonged screen time, the company implemented a ‘Vision Care Subsidy’ to cover costs for ophthalmology visits, blue-light-blocking glasses, and contact lenses, alongside a massage allowance to alleviate physical tension related to eye fatigue.