Since 2000 global stress levels have soared to a point where in some countries it affects close to 60% of the population. The WHO labeled it as the epidemic of the 21st century, way before the COVID-19 pandemic sent it spiraling even higher, and studies show stress could be responsible for 95% of visits to…
It’s often said that people eat with their eyes, but no matter how tempting attractively presented meals are, they are not necessarily good for the eyes’ health. Eye scientists, researchers and doctors are increasingly calling for them to eat for the eyes rather than with them, says Gary Rodney, fellow of the International Academy of…
With an Italian study finding that 60% of car accidents could be linked to vision problems, it is vital that people don’t rely solely on their car’s condition to keep them safe on the road, but also make sure that their vision is capable of meeting the demands placed on it, according to Australian behavioural…
The nearsightedness epidemic currently blocking and blurring the distance vision of millions of people worldwide isn’t stopping there, either in terms of its fast-paced growth, or in its effect on lives, which goes far beyond plain sight. Instead studies and research are linking myopia and its prevalence growth to an increasing number of lifestyle and…
Statistics gathered by surveys, studies and research into visual impairment paint a dismal picture of a world where one out of three people are not seeing clearly, according to Gary Rodney, Australian Behavioural Optometrist, Master of Optometry and Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC). And he says the worst of…
The eyes, teaming with the brain and the rest of the visual system, play a large role in how people learn and function, as well as how they see themselves and live their lives. However, the contribution they make to those lives isn’t always that kind, and can sometimes be downright cruel. And that’s the…
It’s already common understanding that lifestyle may affect both eyesight and vision, especially in children, students and others who do a lot of close work. But it’s known that there’s no “may” with the word “effect” when it comes to vision changes that occur with ageing. Whatever lifestyle is adopted by those at midlife, during…
Published: 4 November 2020 · Last updated: 16 September 2026 · Publisher: Smart Vision Optometry At a glance Myopia, or short-sightedness, causes distant images to focus in front of the retina. Glasses or contact lenses can usually correct the blur. Myopia does not create a narrow personality, short-term judgement or a particular worldview. Higher prescriptions…
Published: 29 October 2020 · Last updated: 16 September 2026 · Publisher: Smart Vision Optometry At a glance A widely cited model estimated that 49.8% of the global population could have myopia by 2050 if past trends continue. That is a forecast based on available studies—not a finding that everyone will become myopic. Family history,…
Published: 15 May 2020 | Last updated: 15 September 2026 | Publisher: Smart Vision Optometry At a glance What did lockdown research find? This article was first published during the 2020 COVID-19 restrictions. Later research gave the concern a clearer evidence base. A large school-screening study by Wang and colleagues reported a myopic shift associated…
Published: 25 April 2020 | Last updated: 15 September 2026 | Publisher: Smart Vision Optometry At a glance What the Australian survey found The peer-reviewed paper Knowledge, perspectives and clinical practices of Australian optometrists in relation to childhood myopia analysed 239 completed questionnaires. That was a 6% completed response rate, so its results should be…
