66% of Hong Kong’s 8-year-olds could be short-sighted by 2028, experts warn

A new study by the Hong Kong Association of Private Practice Optometrists predicts that over two-thirds of eight-year-olds in the city could be short-sighted by 2028. The research, conducted at more than 3,500 primary school pupils between November and May, warns that the shrinking "hyperopic reserve" could lead to a rapid increase in myopia.

Hyperopic reserve is the natural longsightedness infants have at birth, which diminishes as the eyes grow and provides a buffer against nearsightedness. With insufficient reserve, children face a higher risk of developing myopia. The study found that 67% of six-year-olds had less than the recommended 0.75 dioptres of hyperopic reserve, with 24% already short-sighted.

Citing mainland Chinese research, the association projects that 66% of the surveyed children could be myopic by 2028. Queenie Yip Siu-lai, the association's president, emphasized the urgency, stating that failing to act could leave "more than 60 per cent of eight-year-olds short-sighted within two years, bringing high myopia and the heavy burden of related eye diseases."

Factors affecting hyperopic reserve include home size and time spent outdoors, according to Benny Tam Bing-tin, the task force's vice-chairman. The association recommends starting comprehensive eye checks at age three and encourages families to spend more time outdoors, limit screen time, maintain proper reading posture, and ensure adequate rest.

It also urges the government to establish policies to manage shortsightedness and improve public education. A separate survey found that 80% of parents only had their children's eyes checked when vision problems emerged, indicating low awareness of the issue. A seven-year-old case, Owen, highlights the severity of the problem; his condition worsened over the summer holidays, and he was prescribed glasses.