What is Myopia?

Nearsightedness, known as myopia, makes it difficult to see objects far away. It is caused when the light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina instead of on it. This typically occurs when the eyeball is elongated, which is common in children who are growing quickly.

Why do we care about myopia and your vision?

By 2050 there will be almost 5 billion myopic (short-sighted) people globally, with nearly 1 billion of them in the high myopia category and at significantly increased risk of potentially blinding conditions.1

Myopia is quickly becoming a worldwide epidemic and to a certain degree should be looked at as a disease if not correctly caught, monitored, and treated. People with high myopia are more likely to suffer from conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy and macular degeneration, and are thus at a greater risk of permanent vision impairment and blindness.

FIVE FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MYOPIA

  1. Both environmental and genetic factors are thought to play a role in the development of myopia with some evidence for insufficient outdoor time
  2. Myopia is a progressive condition
  3. The progression of myopia can be controlled if the condition is detected early enough
  4. High myopia significantly increases the risk of potentially blinding conditions
  5. Glasses are not the only option for you or your child; ask your optometrist about other treatment options.

What can we do for myopia outside from glasses?

The traditional mindset of wearing spectacle glasses is not curing myopia – it is only just relieving the symptoms. There are other modalities of vision correction that have been shown to also decrease the progression of myopia. Many parents feel helpless while watching their children’s vision worsening each year and at Bonnie Doon Eye Care we have treatment options that have been proven to control it. At Bonnie Doon Eye Care, we view myopia as a disease and are passionate about educating the public and changing the mindset around the growing epidemic. Please ask the staff and/or optometrist about these options as one may be a better fit for your child!

References

  1. Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, Jong M, Naidoo KS, Sankaridurg P, Wong TY, Naduvilath TJ, Resnikoff S, Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050, Ophthalmology, May 2016 Volume 123, Issue 5, Pages 1036–1042.