Myopia Prevalence | Myopia Information | What is the Prevalence of Myopia?


70% to 90%.  Prevalence of myopia in some Asian populations.  “The prevalence of myopia (or "shortsightedness") is about 30 to 40 percent in the United States and Europe but reaches 70 to 90 percent in some Asian populations, and rates are rising in all ethnic groups.” (Anne D. Walling, “Shortsightedness: a review of causes and interventions,” American Family Physician, September 15, 2002)

60% to 80%.  Percent of population with myopia in the Eastern industrialized societies.  “[The] prevalence of myopia has increased substantially over recent decades and now is approaching 10-25% and 60-80% in industrialized societies of the West and East, respectively," commented Dr. Jacinto Santodomingo, Global Professional Relations Manager for Menicon Co., Ltd.” (Menicon press release, “Menicon Undertakes With the Novovision Clinic a Paediatric Myopia Control Clinical Trial,” PR Newswire, Nagoya, Japan, June 23, 2008)

50% by 2020.  “The incidence of myopia (nearsightedness) is expected to increase to 50% of the world’s population by the year 2020 (World Health Organization).  Factors contributing to this are increased amounts of close work, poor diet, lack of exercise and genetics.”  Myopia cause.  (Orthokeratology Academy of America - OAA video - video track 12:52)

50% by 2020.  “Myopia has been growing in incidence over the last century and is expected to involve half of the world’s population by the year 2020 (World Health Organization (WHO)). This has caused the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to view myopia as an epidemic. Myopia is a very real threat to cause serious sight threatening conditions (retinal detachments, glaucoma) in otherwise healthy individuals.”  (What is Gentle Molding,” GentleMolding.com, Undated) 

Almost 33%.  “According to the American Optometric Association, almost one in three Americans suffers from some degree of nearsightedness.”  (No author cited, “Laser Surgery Can Correct Nearsightedness,” HealthDay News, December 28, 2007)

30% to 40%.  Prevalence of myopia in the United States and Europe.  “The prevalence of myopia (or "shortsightedness") is about 30 to 40 percent in the United States and Europe but reaches 70 to 90 percent in some Asian populations, and rates are rising in all ethnic groups.” (Anne D. Walling, “Shortsightedness: a review of causes and interventions,” American Family Physician, September 15, 2002)

Over 30% of Americans are nearsighted today.  “This is an amazing trend that has taken place in the last 100 years or so.  For instance in the United States, one hundred years ago, 5% of us were nearsighted.  Today over 30% of us are nearsighted.  We believe that this is due mostly to the fact that young kids do a lot more close work than they used to (heavy duty computer use, Game Boys, diet).  There’s a lot of sugar and fat in the diet that contributes to this trend.  We’re seeing this across the board…”  Nearsightedness treatment.  (Unidentified Orthokeratology spokesperson, “Or-tho-ker-a-tol-o-gy,”  DVD education video, Orthokeratology Academy of America, 2008 at track 3:05 - OAA video 3:05)

25%.  Approximate percent of Americans affected by nearsightedness.  “Myopia, or near-sightedness, affects nearly 25% of Americans, 60% (approximately 42 million) of whom are children.” (No author, “Nearsighted study of children shows promise for contact lenses,” Memphis Business Journal, Wednesday, July 7, 2004)

20%+ (more than 1 in 5).  Fraction of 12 to 17 year olds that have difficulty seeing in the classroom.  “The [joint nationwide survey by Vision Care and Prevent Blindness America] revealed [that] more than one in five 12 to 17-year-olds have difficulty seeing the classroom whiteboard/chalkboard, with more than one in four complaining of headaches. . . The most common vision problem in older children is nearsightedness, also called myopia. This is a vision condition in which close objects are seen clearly, but objects farther away, like a chalkboard, appear blurred.” Myopia children.  (No author credited, “More Than One in Five 12 to 17-Year-Olds Have Trouble Seeing in Class,” press release distributed for Vision Care and Prevent Blindness America, PR Newswire, Rancho Cordova, Calif., August 4, 2009)

10% to 25%.  Percent of population with myopia in the Western industrialized societies.  “[The] prevalence of myopia has increased substantially over recent decades and now is approaching 10-25% and 60-80% in industrialized societies of the West and East, respectively," commented Dr. Jacinto Santodomingo, Global Professional Relations Manager for Menicon Co., Ltd.” (Menicon press release, “Menicon Undertakes With the Novovision Clinic a Paediatric Myopia Control Clinical Trial,” PR Newswire, Nagoya, Japan, June 23, 2008)

5%. Percent of Americans that were nearsighted 100 years ago (1908).  "Only 5% of Americans were nearsighted 100 years ago.  “This is an amazing trend that has taken place in the last 100 years or so.  For instance in the United States, one hundred years ago, 5% of us were nearsighted.  Today over 30% of us are nearsighted.  We believe that this is due mostly to the fact that young kids do a lot more close work than they used to (heavy duty computer use, Game Boys, diet).  There’s a lot of sugar and fat in the diet that contributes to this trend.  We’re see this across the board…”   (John Abdella, O.D., F.O.A.A., “Or-tho-ker-a-tol-o-gy,”  DVD education video, Orthokeratology Academy of America, 2008 at 3:05 - OAA video 3:05)




Josh Silver, inventor of adjustable prescription glasses to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness.  "Josh Silver delivers his brilliantly simple solution for correcting vision at the lowest cost possible -- adjustable, liquid-filled lenses. At TEDGlobal 2009, he demos his affordable eyeglasses and reveals his global plan to distribute them to a billion people in need by 2020.  Atomic physicist Joshua Silver invented liquid-filled optical lenses to produce low-cost, adjustable glasses, giving sight to millions without access to an optometrist."

Listen to NPR's interview with Professor Joshua Silver on the do-it-yourself prescription glasses he's invented to correct myopia.  NPR Weekend Edition, February 6, 1999.  "[NPR's Scott Simon] talks with Professor Josh Silver [of Oxford University" about his new invention - adjustable prescription eyeglasses [which were developed to correct nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness]." 



How many Americans are nearsighted? | How many of us have myopia?

70 million.  Estimated number of Americans that are nearsighted.  “An estimated 70 million Americans are nearsighted, and many of them are candidates for the surgery, which costs $1,500 to $2,000.” (Paul Raeburn, “Laser Surgery Isn't Cure-All For Nearsighted, Docs Warn,” Chicago Sun-Times, October 14, 1995)

70 million.  Number of nearsighted Americans who wear glasses or contact lenses.  “If long-term results of PRK surgery continue to be favorable, [Dr. James Salz of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles] predicts that a growing number of the 70 million nearsighted Americans who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses will seek the surgery.” (Kathleen Doheny, “Science / Medicine New Surgical Technique Offers Vision of Better Sight Science,” Los Angeles Times, August 26, 1991, Metro; Part-B, p. 3)

42 million.  Number of American children affected by nearsightedness.  “Myopia, or near-sightedness, affects nearly 25% of Americans, 60% (approximately 42 million) of whom are children.” (No author, “Nearsighted study of children shows promise for contact lenses,” Memphis Business Journal, Wednesday, July 7, 2004)

20 million.  Number of Americans with myopia.  “Flat, plastic rings recently implanted in the corneas of 15 nearsighted people around the United States mark the latest effort to remedy myopia, the imperfect vision affecting more than 20 million Americans.” (Ed Schafer, “Distance Closes In Battle Against Myopia - Surgeons Use Rings Implanted Into Corneas, With Measured Success,” Journal Star, Peoria, Illinois, September 27, 1993, p. A3)