We can't afford to turn a blind eye to myopia.

This article focuses on the global myopia epidemic, highlighting its increasing prevalence and associated sight-threatening complications. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error caused by excessive axial elongation of the eye, affecting an estimated 1.4 billion people worldwide in 2000, with projections reaching nearly 5 billion by 2050. Both genetic and environmental factors, including increased near work, reduced outdoor activity, and urbanization, contribute to its development. High myopia significantly raises the risk of serious ocular conditions such as retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy, which can lead to irreversible blindness. Current strategies to prevent or slow myopia progression include optical interventions, low-dose atropine eye drops, and lifestyle changes like increased outdoor time, emphasizing the need for early identification and intervention to reduce the socio-economic and health burdens of myopia.