598. Is Overconsolidation a Threat to Democracy?
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That’s the worry. Even the humble eyeglass industry is dominated by a single firm. 

We look into the global spike in myopia, how the Lemtosh got its name, and what your eye doctor knows that you don’t. (Part two of a two-part series).)

• SOURCES:

• Maria Liu), professor of clinical optometry at the University of California, Berkeley.

• Harvey Moscot), C.E.O. of MOSCOT Eyewear and Eyecare.

• Zachary Moscot), chief design officer of MOSCOT Eyewear and Eyecare.

• Cédric Rossi), equity research analyst at Bryan Garnier.

• Tim Wu), professor of law, science and technology at Columbia Law School.

• RESOURCES:

• "Meta in Talks to Buy Stake in Eyewear Giant EssilorLuxottica)," by Salvador Rodriguez and Lauren Thomas (*The Wall Street Journal, *2024).

• "The Story Behind Soaring Myopia Among Kids)," by Manoush Zomorodi, Katie Monteleone, Sanaz Meshkinpour, and Rachel Faulkner White (*Body Electric, *2024).

• "Why So Many People Need Glasses Now)," by Christophe Haubursin (*Vox, *2023).

• "Eyes on World Sight: Taking Action to Advance Eye Health in China)," by EssilorLuxottica (2022).

• "Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050)," by Brien A. Holden, Timothy R. Fricke, Serge Resnikoff, et al. (*Ophthalmology, *2016).

• "Increased Prevalence of Myopia in the United States Between 1971-1972 and 1999-2004)," by Susan Vitale, Robert D. Sperduto, and Frederick L. Ferris (*Archives of Ophthalmology, *2009).

• EXTRAS:

• "The Economics of Eyeglasses)," series by *Freakonomics Radio *(2024).