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What is myopia?
In a myopic eye the distance vision is blurred.
Light rays from distance objects are focused in front of the retina rather than on the retina. This is usually because the eye has grown too long.
In some children as they grow the eyes will grow in length too. The elongation of the eyes will cause the myopia to progress.
Therefore, myopia will progress more in late childhood and teenage years and myopia management will be more effective in this age range.
What is myopia management?
Myopia management does not cure or reduce myopia, but aims to slow down the rate at which it gets worse. The eye grows rapidly until early adulthood, so myopia management will usually be continued until at least 17 years old. If myopia management is stopped before the eye has stopped growing, the myopia may start to get worse again.
Why does myopia matter?
There are two reasons why the amount of myopia matters.
- The first reason is obvious; the higher the myopia the more dependence on glasses or contact lenses. This can be inconvenient and expensive.
- The second reason is that large amounts of myopia can affect the health of the eyes. The greater the myopia the longer the eye will be. A physically long eye creates tension on the structures of the eye. Consequently, a myopic eye is more at risk of retinal detachment and maculopathy. Studies have shown that a 1 dioptre increase in myopia will double the risk of maculopathy.
Who is at risk of myopia?
Family History
One myopic parent increases risk by three-fold, while two myopic parents means you are six times more likely to develop myopia.
Ethnicity
Some ethnic groups have a higher prevalence of myopia. For example, East Asians, including people of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean descent, tend to have higher rates of myopia compared to other populations.
Environmental Factors
Certain environmental factors, such as spending a lot of time doing close-up work like reading, using computers, or playing video games, can increase the risk of myopia. This is particularly true if these activities are started at a young age and pursued for long periods.
Early Childhood Factors
Premature birth, low birth weight, and maternal smoking during pregnancy have been associated with an increased risk of myopia.
Screen Time
Excessive screen time, especially among children, has been associated with an increased risk of myopia, although the exact relationship is still being studied.
Educational Pressure
Intense educational pressure, particularly in cultures where academic success is highly valued, can lead to increased near work activities and less outdoor time, which can in turn increase the risk of myopia.
