If you're a parent in China, your child's vision is a growing concern. A major review of recent studies found that about 30% of Chinese children and adolescents have myopia, or nearsightedness. That means nearly 1 in 3 kids needs glasses or contact lenses to see clearly at a distance.
The problem gets much worse with age and school pressure. In kindergarten, only about 4% of children are nearsighted. That number jumps to over 28% in primary school, then skyrockets to 64% in junior high, and finally to a staggering 81% by high school. Girls are slightly more likely to be affected than boys.
Where a child lives also plays a role. The burden is highest in Eastern China and in Taiwan. Central China has the lowest rates. The review also found that the problem seemed to peak around 2016.
These findings paint a clear picture: nearsightedness is a common childhood condition in China that becomes almost the norm by the teenage years, with significant differences based on where a child lives and goes to school. This information is crucial for planning public health efforts to protect kids' vision.