66% of Hong Kong’s 8-year-olds could be short-sighted by 2028, experts warn
Association finds 67 per cent of grade-one pupils already have insufficient hyperopic reserve, urging parents to start eye checks at age three
More than 60 per cent of Hong Kong’s eight-year-olds could be short-sighted by 2028, optometrists have predicted, citing a shrinking “hyperopic reserve” that normally helps delay nearsightedness.
The Hong Kong Association of Private Practice Optometrists released the findings on Sunday from a study of more than 3,500 pupils at eight primary schools conducted between November and May, urging parents to begin comprehensive eye checks when children turned three.
The association found that 67 per cent of six-year-olds had less hyperopic reserve than the recommended standard of 0.75 dioptres (75 degrees), while 24 per cent were already short-sighted.
