A new study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology predicts that the number of children and adolescents with myopia, or nearsightedness, will dramatically increase globally by 2050, reaching over 740 million. The study, based on data from over 5.4 million participants across 50 countries, suggests that the prevalence of myopia will be highest among adolescents and in East Asia. The researchers attribute this trend to several factors, including increased "near work" such as screen time, decreased time spent outdoors, and early formal education. The study highlights the importance of early intervention, emphasizing that children who develop myopia at a younger age are at a higher risk of complications. The study calls for increased awareness of myopia as a significant eye disease and advocates for preventive measures such as spending more time outdoors and reducing screen time.