(File photo)

Myopia has become China's "national disease." One third of the population over 5 years of age is nearsighted, according to the report "Vision Health of Chinese people," which was released on June 5.

Among people over 5 years old, between 35.13 percent and 39.21 percent have myopia. The total number of myopia patients in China is between 437 and 487 million. Of those, between 29 and 30.4 million suffer from severe myopia. 

The report points out that without effective intervention, it is estimated that between 50.86 and 51.36 percent of Chinese people over 5 years old will be nearsighted by the end of 2020. 

With more and more nearsighted young people in China, myopia is poised to cause irreversible harm to Chinese society. Severe myopia patients are more likely to experience fundus lesions and suffer permanent visual impairment. The hereditary condition will certainly exert a negative influence on China’s population in the coming years.