Ohhhh, Jake. Never gets any less weird, does it.
From the Straits Times, a major Singaporean news publication:
High myopia increases the risk of eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment and myopia macular degeneration, all of which can cause irreversible vision loss.
In some of the relevant studies quoted in Ophthalmology, high myopia increases the risks of glaucoma by 14.4 times (for -6.00D or more), retinal detachment by 7.8 times (for -8.00D or more) and cataract by 3.3 times (for -6.00D or more).
Fourteen times higher risk of glaucoma, with -6.00 diopter myopia. That’s an insane risk factor increase. Add to this the fact that a staggering close to half of the entire Singaporean population is inching closer to -5.00 average myopia as you read this. Yes, about half of the population of all of Singapore, with increased glaucoma risk, using scientific terms, at SKY HIGH.
On an unrelated note, do you know how much money glaucoma treatment makes, annually?
Just about 3 billion dollars. Pretty small, in the scheme of things. Growing moderately, according to “Glaucoma Treatment Market Trends & Opportunities“. The vulture healthcare market investor also known as Jake Steiner is going to bet against this prognosis and say that the glaucoma market opportunity is better than growing moderately. I’d peg it at “solid” growth, a definite buy, if you know what I’m saying (nudge nudge, wink wink)*.
On another unrelated note, guess who contacted the Singapore Health Promotion board, last year?
They identified myopia as one of the top three health crisis affecting Singaporeans. Fortunately the guy who can definitely help turn things around (Jakey to the rescue) got in touch with them, we had a great talk, some very productive meetings, and lots of new things are underway to help educate the Singaporean public about the causes, risks, and opportunities in stopping the myopia epidemic.
If you’re surprised right about now, you should be. Actually I did contact them, and what I got back was precisely, this:
That’s right. Nothing.
Maybe that’s because I’m a bit less than the well credentialed Singaporean ophthalmologist with the well kempt white beard and the Ghandi glasses, introduced by some venerable ex minister over a fancy Sunday brunch at the Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck restaurant (that’s really the name).
Maybe I’m too weird of an envoy for this subject.
Or maybe all those public officials don’t really actually give a f### about what’s going on, and it’s all a big circle jerk lip service, worrying about the Singaporean people. Who knows. Meanwhile we might have some interesting podcast interviews coming up, with influencers who actually care about health on an actionable level. More on that soon.
Keep your eyes healthy!
Housekeeping: The log tool signature output in the forum is almost, almost working. Like a Rubik’s cube, every bug we fix causes three new ones, but we’re getting closer. I’m really excited to show you the staggering amount of diopter improvement that’s been made by our students.
It’s amazing, fantastic, really encouraging. More useful data via the log hopefully soon, as we develop these logging tools. Spotted today, Steve’s signature actually producing the intended data output:
Updates on this topic as things develop.
Cheers,
-Jake
*no investment advice
