2050年全球盲人數量預計將達到現在的三倍

The number of blind people across the world is set to triple within the next four decades, researchers suggest.

研究人員表示，在未來的40年裏，全世界盲人的數量將會達到現在的三倍。

Writing in Lancet Global Health, they predict cases will rise from 36 million to 115 million by 2050, if treatment is not improved by better funding.

他們在《柳葉刀全球健康》上發文預測，如果不投資來改善治療情況，那麼到2050年，病例將從3600萬增加到1.15億。

A growing ageing population is behind the rising numbers.

不斷加劇的人口老齡化是這個數字不斷增長背後的原因。

The percentage of the world's population with visual impairments is actually falling, according to the study. But because the global population is growing and more people are living well into old age, researchers predict the number of people with sight problems will soar in the coming decades.

該研究表明，世界上視力下降的人口比例實際上在下降。但是由於全球人口正在增長，而且越來越多的人壽命較長，研究人員預測，在未來的幾十年裏，有視力問題的人數將會激增。

Analysis of data from 188 countries suggests there are more than 200 million people with moderate to severe vision impairment. That figure is expected to rise to more than 550 million by 2050.

來自188個國家的數據分析表明，有超過2億人患有中度至重度視力障礙。到2050年，這個數字預計將上升到5.5億。

"Even mild visual impairment can significantly impact a person's life," said lead author Prof Rupert Bourne, from Anglia Ruskin University. "For example, reducing their independence... as it often means people are barred from driving."

來自英國安格利亞魯斯金大學的主要作者魯珀特·伯恩教授稱：“即使是輕微的視力障礙也會嚴重影響一個人的生活。例如，這降低了他們的獨立性，因爲這通常意味着他們被禁止開車。”

The worst affected areas for visual impairment are in South and East Asia. Parts of sub-Saharan Africa also have particularly high rates.

視力損害最嚴重的地區在南亞和東亞。撒哈拉以南非洲的部分地區比例也特別高。