Number of Hong Kong children with myopia hit record high during Covid pandemic amid greater reliance on screens, study finds

Chinese University researchers warn lifestyle habits contributing to nearsightedness among children aged six to eight have continued even after pandemic ended

‘If we do not do something drastic now to reduce the progression of myopia, these children will have serious problems in many years to come,’ they add

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Researchers warn that myopia could lead to further complications such as detached retinas, macular haemorrhage and glaucoma. Photo: May Tse

Published: 4:51pm, 30 Aug 2023Updated: 8:06pm, 30 Aug 2023

The number of Hong Kong children aged six to eight suffering from myopia hit a record high during the Covid-19 pandemic as youngsters became more reliant on screens and stayed indoors, a Chinese University study released on Wednesday found.

Associate Professor Jason Yam Cheuk-sing, of the university’s department of ophthalmology and visual sciences, also warned the pandemic trends of children spending less time outdoors and using electronic products more had continued even after the city lifted its pandemic restrictions.

“We are all very thankful that the Covid pandemic has passed, but unfortunately, our message today is that the lifestyle established [during the pandemic] has not returned to [the one] before Covid-19,” he said.

The university study analysed the prevalence of myopia, or nearsightedness, among 20,527 children aged six to eight across three periods between 2015 and 2021.

Researchers found the number of children suffering from the condition during the pre-pandemic period of 2015 to 2019 stood at 23.8 per cent, but had risen to 36.2 per cent amid a brief easing of restrictions between March and December 2021.

A further breakdown of the data showed the prevalence of myopia nearly doubled among six-year-olds between the two periods, shifting from 13.9 per cent to 25.2 per cent.

Study participant Kate Law and her father Law Chi-kuen demonstrate a red light therapy device, which helps to control her myopia. Photo: Harvey Kong

The overall annual figure for all three age groups in 2021 stood at 35.9 per cent, compared with 24.9 per cent recorded in 2015.