The eyes, the organ of vision, are responsible for 80% of the information required in daily life. Paradoxically, the change in the lifestyle of youth combined with the aging of the population has produced a greater prevalence of certain ocular pathologies. Likewise, a recent study estimates that the total population of patients with pathologies such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and high myopia will increase to 7.99 million patients in 2030, which denotes a growth of 103%1.
Nearly 85,000 people suffer from some visual disability in Spain2 and therefore, on the occasion of World Sight Day, from the Fernández-Vega Ophthalmological Institute (IOFV)describe the new triggers of these diseases, which will be the common ocular pathologies of the 21st century.
Frequent use of screens and increased indoor activities
Today myopia is considered an epidemic that affects six out of ten young people, which represents more than half of school-age children. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2050, 50% of the world’s population will be myopic, generating serious repercussions for health systems, given that it leads to other related diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts.
In recent years, more cases of myopia have been detected at increasingly younger ages, since it usually develops during childhood and adolescence. Specifically, around 62% of Spaniards between 17 and 27 years old are myopic3coinciding with the stage where more time is spent studying, outdoor activities are reduced and the time spent in front of electronic device screens increases. In fact, it is estimated that Spaniards spend approximately five and a half hours looking at a screen4.
“We must clarify that it is not the use of a mobile phone or computer that affects vision, but rather the effort our eyes make to focus for so long on the screens that are nearby. It is possible to minimize the development of myopia with a series of recommendations such as trying to have natural lighting as much as possible, maintaining a distance of at least 35 or 40 centimeters from the tablet, mobile phone or a book and 50 centimeters with a computer, and that parents encourage outdoor activities such as games and sports ”, explains Dr. Luis Fernández-Vega Cueto-Felgueroso, specialist at the Fernández-Vega Ophthalmological Institute.
Little physical activity and poor diet
People with bad habits, such as little physical activity and being overweight or obese, are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Around 5.1 million adults in Spain live with diabetes, this means that the number of people with diabetes has increased. in Spain by 42% since 20195. In this way, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, the main cause of blindness in people with diabetes, increases.
According to data from the Spanish Retina and Vitreous Society, in the first twenty years of the disease, almost all patients with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes could develop this disease at some point. In type 1 patients, 85% of blindness cases are due to diabetic retinopathy. On the other hand, in the case of type 2 patients, only 33% of cases could end in blindness due to this disease.
One of the difficulties of retinopathy is that it does not present symptoms in its initial stages. Detection of the first signs of this disease is achieved through a medical examination of the fundus of the eye with the pupil dilated, therefore, periodic visits to the ophthalmologist are essential. “To prevent this disease, it is essential that patients monitor their blood glucose levels. It is crucial to keep sugar, cholesterol and lipids under control. Likewise, it is recommended to adopt healthy lifestyle habits: perform physical activity, eat a balanced diet, ensure a good rest and avoid tobacco consumption.”, comments Dr. Álvaro Fernández-Vega González, ophthalmologist at the Retina and Vitreous Unit of the Fernández-Vega Institute.
Increase in life expectancy in Spain
The increase in life expectancy brings benefits to the population, but it also entails certain challenges, especially in the area of eye health. As people live longer, the incidence of ocular pathologies increases significantly. Pathologies such as AMD, cataracts and glaucoma are more prevalent due to the aging of the population. In particular, the Boomer and X generation constitutes the largest population group in Spain and 23.24% of those over 65 years of age experience some type of visual impairment6.
It is highly likely to develop some eye disease throughout life, since with increasing age, ocular cells and tissues experience wear and tear that can lead to vision loss if not properly cared for. In this regard, the importance of establishing effective prevention and treatment strategies is reiterated.
“The eye health care that we will have in our old age starts now, adopting healthy habits and periodically going to the ophthalmologist for checkups, even if we do not present symptoms. Through eye exams, specialists can identify signs and treat them early. “In this way we reduce the impact of these diseases and can maintain a good quality of life as we get older.” concludes Dr. Luis Fernández-Vega.
References
1. Pablo, L., Garay-Aramburu, G., Layana, AG, Fernandez, A., Vázquez, I., Acebes, X., Zulueta, J., Balonga, D., Salinas-Ortega, L., Muñoz, Á., Gómez, AC, Casado, M. Á., Salvador, J., Bañón-Rodriguez, I., & Ruíz-Moreno, JM (2024). Assessing the economic burden of vision loss and irreversible legal blindness in Spain (2021–2030): a societal perspective. Health Economics Review, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13561-024-00546-y
2. INE – National Institute of Statistics. (s.f.). INEbase / Society /Health /Disability surveys / Latest data. INE. https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736176782&idp=1254735573175
3. Report “Prevalence of myopia in young people in Spain, 2018”. (s.f.). https://visionyvida.org/informe-prevalencia-de-la-miopia-en-los-jovenes-en-espana-2018/#:~:text=Este%20estudio%20indica%20que%20las,mujeres%20( 54%2C7%25).
4. Navarro, R. (2024, August 29). The Average Screen Time and Usage by Country. ElectronicsHub. https://www.electronicshub.org/the-average-screen-time-and-usage-by-country/
5. Spain is the second country with the highest prevalence of diabetes in Europe | Spanish Diabetes Society. (s.f.). https://www.sediabetes.org/comunicacion/sala-de-prensa/espana-es-el- Segundo-pais-con-mayor-prevalencia-de-diabetes-de-europa/
6. The European Health Survey in Spain (EESE). National Statistics Institute.2020 https://www.sanidad.gob.es/estadEstudios/estadisticas/EncuestaEuropea/EncuestaEuropea2020/EESE2020_inf_evol_princip_result.pdf
Fountain: Dare