[ndiscussion]

Does anyone have statistics on how many people are underserved medically in China? One reason this could happen is that people with glasses are more privileged, tend to work office jobs, etc.

In the USA, our underclass (DoorDash, et al) is able to afford eyeglasses, but that's not necessarily the case elsewhere.

[rahimnathwani]

In China, at least in cities, glasses are cheap. And so are eye tests (or at least tests to check the level of myopia in each eye).

IIRC, myopia is less prevalent in rural China than in cities, presumably because kids in rural areas spend more time outdoors. So perhaps people with glasses are more privileged on average, but maybe not because eyecare is unaffordable.

[ndiscussion]

That's a good point, I forgot about the outdoor link. People who spend more time indoors are probably more likely to a. have an interest in computers/knowledge work and b. more likely to have ample space to spend time indoors comfortably.

In many places with multi-generational (cramped) housing, it's common for young people to spend much more time outdoors to get away from their parents.

[joezydeco]

How about glasses protecting the eye and membranes from aerosolized virus droplets?

[rahimnathwani]

Yes, the article summary suggests that glasses protect the virus from entering the eyes. But it talks more about how glasses reduce the number of times you touch your eyes.