Korea's 'myopia pandemic': Experts warn of future blindness crisis without government action

South Korea is at the epicenter of a 'myopia pandemic,' with the condition spreading rapidly among children and adolescents due to increased smartphone use and decreased outdoor activity. The situation is so severe that over 90% of 19-year-old males in the Seoul metropolitan area require vision correction. Experts like Shin Seon-young, an ophthalmology professor at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital and executive director of the Korean Pediatric Ophthalmology Research Society, argue that this widespread issue points to structural problems within the societal environment rather than individual lifestyle choices.

The implications of this escalating myopia extend far beyond the inconvenience of wearing glasses. Severe myopia is characterized by the elongation and structural deformation of the eyeball, thinning the retina and stretching the optic nerve tissues. This structural change significantly elevates the risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life, including glaucoma, retinal detachment, and myopic macular degeneration, which can lead to irreversible blindness. The consequences, though often manifesting in old age, begin with the eye's structural changes during childhood.

While treatments exist, such as low-concentration atropine eye drops, specialized contact lenses, and glasses designed to slow myopia progression, their effectiveness in the South Korean context is hampered by the environment. Professor Shin notes that even with treatment, many Korean children's vision continues to worsen due to excessive study hours and near-work activities. The environmental factors, including educational policies promoting digital devices and online learning, are seen as contributing significantly to the problem, overwhelming the impact of medical interventions.

In contrast to countries like Singapore, Taiwan, and China, which have implemented national strategies for myopia prevention, including regular eye screenings, mandated outdoor activity time, and regulations on near-work, South Korea's approach remains reactive. Public policy initiatives for myopia prevention are virtually nonexistent. Professor Shin stresses the urgent need for a national pediatric myopia cohort, similar to growth charts for children, to monitor eye length and predict risks. Without proactive, government-led interventions, the country risks a future 'blindness disaster' stemming from the current generation's widespread myopia.