The number of blind people across the world is set to triple¹ within the next four decades, researchers suggest.

研究人员表示，在未来的40年里，全世界盲人的数量将会达到现在的三倍。

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.

他们在《柳叶刀全球健康》上发文预测，如果不投资来改善治疗情况，那么到2050年，病例将从3600万增加到1.15亿。

A growing ageing population is behind the rising numbers.

不断加剧的人口老龄化是这个数字不断增长背后的原因。

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 soar² in the coming decades.

该研究表明，世界上视力下降的人口比例实际上在下降。但是由于全球人口正在增长，而且越来越多的人寿命较长，研究人员预测，在未来的几十年里，有视力问题的人数将会激增。

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.

来自188个国家的数据分析表明，有超过2亿人患有中度至重度视力障碍。到2050年，这个数字预计将上升到5.5亿。

"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."

来自英国安格利亚鲁斯金大学的主要作者鲁珀特·伯恩教授称：“即使是轻微的视力障碍也会严重影响一个人的生活。例如，这降低了他们的独立性，因为这通常意味着他们被禁止开车。”

The worst affected³ areas for visual impairment are in South and East Asia. Parts of sub-Saharan Africa also have particularly high rates.

视力损害最严重的地区在南亚和东亚。撒哈拉以南非洲的部分地区比例也特别高。