Near Sightedness – Let’s slow it down!

What is Myopia?

Myopia is also known as near sightedness. Patients with myopia can typically see well enough at near to read a book, or view the computer screen. Myopia occurs when the eye either grows too long from front to back, or when the cornea is too strong.

Myopia has become an epidemic in our day and age, as both the incidence and prevalence is dramatically increasing. Approximately 90% of teenagers and young adults are myopic. The severity of myopia is also increasing. The reasons for this increasing prevalence and severity of myopia are undetermined, but it is postulated that our excessive use of near devices, such as tablets, are contributing factors.

Why are we concerned about Myopia?

Myopia not only results in the need for spectacle correction, but it is associated with risks for eye health. There are varying degrees of myopia. Moderate and high levels of myopia are sometimes associated with serious, vision threatening side effects.

Myopia-Related Eye Problems:

• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Retinal detachment

What can we do about it?

Typically, your optometrist will prescribe you spectacles that will improve your distance vision. However, the focus has now shifted on ways to prevent the myopia levels from worsening in children to prevent them from reaching levels that are associated with risks to eye health (as mentioned above). There are several methods that have been investigated to utilize in children who are myopic to help slow the progression.

Book an appointment for your child with your optometrist to identify whether or not your child has myopia, or is at risk of developing myopia in the future. Your optometrist will discuss with you ways to either slow the progression or prevent the onset of myopia.