The world stands at a crucial crossroads in confronting an unprecedented public health challenge: the rapid rise in global myopia prevalence. During the Global Myopia Public Health Summit 2024, leading experts gathered to deliberate on the ramifications and urgently needed responses to what is increasingly being described as a myopia pandemic. The comprehensive report emerging from this summit underscores the scale and gravity of the issue while charting a path forward grounded in cutting-edge research and impactful policy interventions.
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error where distant objects appear blurred due to the elongation of the eyeball or excessive curvature of the cornea. Once predominantly confined to certain East Asian populations, this condition has spiraled into a global phenomenon, with projections suggesting that by 2050, half of the world’s population could be myopic. The report elucidates that this surge is not merely a cosmetic concern but harbors severe public health implications, including heightened risks of sight-threatening complications such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy.
The mounting prevalence of myopia has been linked to complex interactions between genetic predispositions and environmental factors. However, current research increasingly attributes this epidemic to lifestyle changes—especially those reducing outdoor exposure and increasing near-work activities, such as extensive screen time during childhood and adolescence. The summit’s discussions emphasized the pressing need to integrate behavioral and educational reforms alongside medical advances to curb the trajectory of myopia growth effectively.
Central to the summit’s narrative is the pivotal role of early intervention and comprehensive screening programs. Early detection can mitigate progression risks and encourage timely therapeutics capable of slowing myopic progression. Advances in optical treatments including novel contact lens designs, spectacle lenses with peripheral defocus control, and low-dose atropine eye drops collectively represent a transformative frontier in myopia management. The report highlights worldwide efforts adapting these modalities within public health frameworks as critical to altering the pandemic’s course.
Beyond clinical interventions, the summit underscored the importance of environmental and societal modifications to address the root causes of myopia. Increased outdoor activity—exposing children to natural daylight—emerged as a simple yet profoundly effective preventive measure. Policies promoting outdoor educational programs, urban planning that facilitates safe and accessible recreational spaces, and guidelines limiting excessive near work particularly screen exposure were advocated as cornerstone strategies by global health authorities.
Another emergent theme was the glaring inequity in myopia burden and resources across different geographies and socioeconomic strata. While high-income countries possess access to advanced diagnostic and treatment tools, many low- and middle-income regions struggle with basic eye care infrastructure and public awareness. The summit called for international cooperation and resource allocation to bridge these gaps, ensuring equitable access to myopia prevention and care worldwide.
Technology adoption in myopia management also gained significant attention. Artificial intelligence-driven screening tools promise scalable solutions capable of early risk detection even in resource-limited settings. Telemedicine platforms are envisioned to support follow-up care and monitoring progression remotely, facilitating broader reach and adherence to treatment protocols. The integration of these digital innovations illustrates the potential for a paradigm shift in eye health services to manage this pandemic effectively.
Scientific inquiry into the genetic basis of myopia remains a fertile ground for further exploration. While multifactorial in nature, identifying susceptibility genes and understanding the molecular pathways implicated in ocular growth regulation could pave the way for future gene therapies or pharmacological targets. Such advances would not only complement current interventions but may redefine personalized myopia management.
The economic toll of unchecked myopia progression is substantial. Increased healthcare costs related to managing complications and productivity losses due to visual impairment place a heavy burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. The summit’s report quantitatively analyzes these impacts, strengthening the argument for early investment in preventive programs as a cost-effective public health strategy.
Raising awareness among parents, educators, and policymakers was emphasized as fundamental to combating the myopia crisis. Empowering communities with knowledge about causative factors, early symptom recognition, and available treatment options can dramatically enhance uptake of preventive practices and health services. The report calls for multifaceted communication campaigns tailored to diverse cultural contexts to maximize engagement and behavioral change.
Moreover, the role of schools as frontline partners in myopia management received notable focus. Integrating regular vision screening into school health programs, revising curriculums to encourage balanced near and distance visual tasks, and structuring daily timetables to incorporate sufficient outdoor breaks were recommended. These strategies leverage existing education systems to implement large-scale preventive measures sustainably.
The summit also scrutinized emerging data on myopia’s impact on quality of life beyond visual acuity. Psychological effects stemming from impaired vision and dependency on corrective devices can hinder social participation, academic achievements, and overall wellbeing. Incorporating psychosocial support into myopia management frameworks was identified as a holistic approach to improve patient outcomes.
Environmental lighting conditions, both natural and artificial, were analyzed in detail for their influence on ocular development. Optimal lighting parameters to augment retinal dopamine release—a biochemical signal implicated in controlling eye growth—were discussed. Advancing architectural and interior design standards to optimize lighting in homes and schools could be a subtle yet impactful adjunctive intervention.
Finally, international coordination and robust surveillance systems were considered essential. Establishing standardized definitions, data collection protocols, and reporting mechanisms enables effective monitoring of myopia trends and evaluation of intervention outcomes globally. The summit concluded with a call to action for governments, health agencies, academia, and industry to form a unified front against the myopia pandemic.
In summary, the Global Myopia Public Health Summit 2024 has crystallized the urgent necessity to tackle the burgeoning myopia epidemic through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. Integration of innovative clinical treatments, evidence-based preventive strategies, environmental modifications, equitable resource distribution, and global cooperation form the foundation of the proposed blueprint. As this silent pandemic threatens to compromise vision for billions, decisive action encompassing technology, policy, and education as outlined in the summit’s report offers a beacon of hope to preserve sight and quality of life worldwide.
Subject of Research: Global public health implications and interventions related to the myopia epidemic
Article Title: The need to address the myopia pandemic: summary report of the global myopia public health summit 2024
Article References:
Pan, W., Morgan, I., Flitcroft, I. et al. The need to address the myopia pandemic: summary report of the global myopia public health summit 2024. glob health res policy 10, 45 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-025-00445-7
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-025-00445-7
