The management of myopia, which has long remained at the level of simple vision correction through eyeglasses, must be redefined as an essential medical condition that requires continuous tracking from childhood through adulthood, experts have argued.

This policy direction stems from the diagnosis that neglecting vision decline during adolescence can directly lead to severe, blinding complications later in life.

On the occasion of the 56th "Eye Day," the Korean Ophthalmological Society (Chairman Chan-Yun Kim) released its "2026 Fact Sheet" on the 6th. This year’s official slogan set by the society is "Myopia Management, the Beginning of Lifelong Eye Health."

The initiative aims to establish a full-cycle management system—ranging from pre-onset delay to post-onset progression suppression and early detection of complications in adulthood—firmly within clinical practice and the institutional framework.

Statistics analyzed by the society demonstrate that the deterioration of eye health among the younger generation has reached a critical level.

According to a tracking study of 519,703 19-year-old males who underwent their initial military service physical examinations in Seoul from 2013 to 2022, the prevalence of myopia in 2022 was recorded at 73.69%.

Notably, the proportion of high myopia—which carries a high potential for inducing fatal eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment—stood at 22.04%. This means that more than 1 out of every 5 young men entering adulthood is exposed to a potential risk of blindness.

Through this fact sheet, the society comprehensively compiled epidemiological statistics on childhood and adolescent myopia, overseas management systems, evidence for outdoor-activity-based prevention, early suppression treatment protocols, and adult warning symptoms.

“Breaking Away from Reliance on Optical Shops… Clinical Progression is Urgent”

To delay the onset of myopia during the growth period, the society recommended securing approximately two hours of outdoor activities per day.

For children and adolescents who have already developed myopia, the society pointed out that passive symptomatic treatments—such as simply replacing spectacle lenses—are insufficient, and that precise examinations tracking axial length and progression rate are essential.

The society emphasized that when necessary, proactive progression suppression treatments using medications or specialized lenses must be implemented concurrently to prevent progression into high myopia in adulthood.

Furthermore, the society urged that adults with a past history of high myopia should be integrated into an aftercare management system that regularly examines the condition of the retina, macula, and optic nerve, even in the absence of subjective symptoms.

“Myopia goes far beyond simple vision correction and is a critical condition requiring early prevention and therapeutic intervention,” emphasized Chairman Chan-Yun Kim, underscoring the necessity of a full-cycle management system.

Meanwhile, on the 8th, the Korean Ophthalmological Society plans to unveil pediatric treatment strategies and adult fundus complication management plans under the theme, “From Eyeglass Replacement to Lifelong Eye Health Management,” addressing domestic and international environmental changes and the validity of early intervention.

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]