Myopia and Myopia Control
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a vision condition where people can see near targets clearly, but distance targets appear blurred. This occurs if the eyeball is too long or the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, is too curved. In myopic progression, the eye becomes elongated, stretching the retinal layers.
There has been a rapid rise of myopia around the world, with projections that half of the world’s population will be myopic by 2050 (AOA Myopia Management Clinical Report).
The global myopia epidemic is expected to affect nearly half of the worldwide population by 2050. Adapted from Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123:1036-1042.
Causes and Risk Factors
Genetics – The risk of developing myopia increases significantly in children with two parents with myopia compared to children whose parents do not have myopia
Visual Environment – Children who become myopic tend to spend less time outdoors. Myopia progression has been associated with extended near-work (reading, computer use). There is a higher prevalance of myopia in urban areas compared to rural areas.
Pathological Complications of Progressive Myopia
People with high myopia have an increased risk of developing sight threatening complications later in life due to the elongation. The layers that make up the eye become thinner, increasing the risk of complications.
Treatment Options
Glasses – The primary choice for correction and provides clear distance vision
Contact Lenses – An alternative to glasses that is worn directly on the eye, requiring proper evaluation to maintain good ocular health
Refractive Surgery – Procedures that correct myopia by reshaping the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) or by placing an implantable lens into the eye
Myopia Control – Treatment to slow myopic progression
Orthokeratology
Multifocal soft contact lenses
Atropine