China introduces measures to prevent myopia as 53.6% of young Chinese myopic

The overall prevalence of myopia among young Chinese has reached 53.6 percent, according to a press conference on Friday.

In addition, more than 90 percent of Chinese college students are myopic, said Wang Ningli, head of a national expert group on eye health, citing a large survey on near-sightedness.

To address the pressing problem, Chinese authorities have introduced a series of measures on the prevention and treatment of myopia among the nation's youth.

Xu Xun, executive director of Shanghai's eye disease prevention and control center, also highlighted the urgent need for myopia prevention among young children.

It is too late to start myopia prevention in primary schools, said Xu, adding that lifecycle eye health services should be put in place.