Myopia: A Growing Global Crisis
Myopia—short-sightedness—has become one of the fastest-spreading health problems worldwide. The World Health Organization projects that by 2050, half of humanity will be myopic. That's roughly 5 billion people.
The shift is most dramatic in children and young adults. A comprehensive meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, covering 276 studies and 5.4 million participants, found that childhood myopia tripled between 1990 and 2023. Elsewhere, the numbers are even starker: in South Korea, 75.8% of 18–39-year-olds are short-sighted. According to The Lancet Regional Health (2025), myopia affects 32.74% of European adults—meaning one in three young adults sees the world blurred without glasses or contact lenses.
The warning from BMJ Public Health is sobering: by 2035, myopia complications will become the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in Western Europe.
How Vision Deteriorates
The mechanism is straightforward: the eyeball grows too long, so light from distant objects focuses in front of the retina rather than on it. The distant world blurs; close objects remain clear. But this isn't simply a matter of lens strength—it's a physical change in the eye itself.
Screen time sits at the top of the risk factor list. A meta-analysis in JAMA Network Open (45 studies, over 335,000 participants) found that each additional hour of screen time per day increases myopia risk by 21%. At four hours daily, risk roughly doubles. During COVID-19 lockdowns, children's screen time jumped from 2.1 hours to 5.6 hours per day, significantly accelerating myopia progression. VSP Vision Care research adds that 43% of remote workers have noticed vision decline since the pandemic, with some spending up to 13 hours daily on screens.
A widespread belief holds that eyes stabilize by age 20. A JAMA Ophthalmology study following people aged 20–28 contradicts this. Researchers found that 14% of normal-sighted 20-year-olds developed myopia by age 28. Moreover, 37.8% experienced clinically significant vision deterioration. The IMI Global Myopia Report confirms that over 90% of myopia cases developing in adulthood emerge between ages 18–30.
High Myopia: A Different Problem
High myopia (from -5 to -6 diopters and beyond) carries substantially greater risks that glasses cannot address. A 2023 Nature study showed that high myopia increases retinal detachment risk 39-fold compared to normal vision. Each additional diopter raises glaucoma risk by 20%. At -6 diopters, macular degeneration risk is 41 times higher, and the need for cataract surgery becomes 3.4 times more likely.
BMJ Public Health projects that by 2075, myopia complications will affect 3.6 million Europeans. As our optometrists emphasize: "Regular eye checks matter even when vision feels normal—progression can be gradual and easily overlooked."
Expert Perspective
Ophthalmologist Dr. Karl-Erik Tillmann puts it simply: "Myopia is often treated as merely a glasses question. In reality, it's a structural change in the eye that carries serious long-term risks—especially at higher prescriptions."
This is why modern correction methods matter. At KSA Silmakeskus, we've performed over 55,000 procedures using two proven approaches:
Flow3 laser surgery is our cornerstone technology—a flapless surface laser that reshapes the cornea without creating a surgical flap. This means faster healing (roughly one week), better safety for active people, and lower complication rates. The fact that our entire clinical team chose Flow3 for their own vision speaks volumes.
ICB lens replacement offers an alternative for those with prescriptions too high for laser surgery, or for anyone seeking a reversible solution. The natural lens is replaced with a precisely calibrated implant, delivering crisp vision without ongoing contact lens hassle.
The choice between these approaches depends on your prescription, eye anatomy, lifestyle, and preferences. What matters is having options—and having them delivered by specialists who understand both the science and the stakes.
What You Should Know
Myopia isn't just an inconvenience. High prescriptions expose eyes to genuine medical risks. Regular monitoring is essential. If you're considering correction, timing often matters: earlier intervention can sometimes prevent progression.
Want to understand your options? Our quick assessment takes just a few minutes and costs nothing. We'll assess your suitability for Flow3, ICB, or other approaches based on your individual eye health.
Since 1999, KSA Silmakeskus has been led by Dr. Ants Haavel, an ophthalmologist with over 20 years of experience. We serve Estonian, Russian, and international patients—all with the same commitment to clarity and safety.
Your vision is worth investing in. Let's talk about the right solution for you.
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