Doctors warn of alarming blindness epidemic among Gen Z

LONDON: A leading eye surgeon has issued a stark warning about a “shocking” rise in short-sightedness (myopia) among British children, particularly impacting Gen Z, and blames excessive screen time and a lack of natural light exposure.

Dr Joern Jorgensen, of LEC London and CEO of a global network of eye clinics, says the trend is creating a potential future blindness crisis for the National Health Service (NHS).

Sunlight and screen time: damaging combination

Dr Jorgensen points to two key factors:

• Reduced sunlight exposure: Children spending more time indoors glued to devices miss out on crucial natural light during formative years. This light exposure is believed to stimulate the release of dopamine, which helps regulate eye growth.
• Excessive near work: Staring at screens held close to the face for extended periods strains the focusing muscles and may contribute to eyeball elongation, a hallmark of myopia.

Global phenomenon

The UK has seen a staggering 46 per cent increase in short-sightedness over the past 30 years, mirroring a global trend. Dr Jorgensen cites his experience in China, where myopia rates have skyrocketed to 95 per cent in some areas.

He warns that without significant changes in children’s screen time habits and a push for outdoor play, the UK faces a similar future, particularly impacting Gen Z whose formative years coincide heavily with the rise of ubiquitous screens.

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Consequences beyond spectacles

While glasses can correct short-sightedness, Dr Jorgensen stresses the potential for serious health complications. Studies suggest high myopia increases the risk of macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness, by 41 per cent.

Treating these conditions puts a significant strain on the NHS, with medications like Lucentis costing £1,000 per injection.

Call to action

Other eye specialists share Dr. Jorgensen’s concerns. Dr Irfan Jeeva of Pinderfields Hospital urges parents to limit screen time and encourage outdoor play.

Research from University College London (UCL) also highlights the issue, with a link between short-sightedness and increased time spent reading and studying.

Public largely unaware of risks

A survey by the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition revealed a significant knowledge gap among parents:

• Over half (52 per cent) of children today reportedly play outside less than their parents did.
• 45 per cent of parents were unaware of the negative impact of screen time on eye health.
• 51 per cent didn’t know spending time outdoors can delay the onset of short-sightedness.

Growing public health issue

Optometrist Jason Higginbotham, who launched a petition for increased NHS funding to address childhood myopia, stresses the urgency of the situation.

“This is a very real public health issue,” he says. “Early intervention can reduce the risk of sight loss in the future. The government needs to act now.”