Myopia is more than nearsightedness or the inability to see distant objects clearly.² So what is the definition of myopia? Here are four key facts to know:

1. Myopia is a chronic, progressive disease that leads to the eye growing too long.^2-4
2. This lengthening of the eye changes the eye’s ability to focus on distant objects, resulting in blurry vision.²
3. Myopia may also increase the risk of permanent vision loss due to the development of cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, or other eye conditions.⁶
4. Lifestyle changes, including more near work^* and less outdoor time, are contributing to more children than ever before developing myopia at an early age.^7,8

References:
2. Flitcroft DI. The complex interactions of retinal, optical and environmental factors in myopia aetiology. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2012;31(6):622-660.
3. Donovan L, Sankaridurg P, Ho A et al Myopia progression rates in urban children wearing single-vision spectacles. OVS 2012;89(1):27-32.
4. Pärssinen O, Kauppinen M. Risk factors for high myopia: a 22-year follow-up study from childhood to adulthood. Acta Ophthalmologica. 2019;97(5):510-518.
6. Haarman AEG, Enthoven CA, Tideman JWL, et al The Complications of Myopia: A Review and Meta-Analysis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2020 Apr 9;61(4):49.
7. Huang HM, Chang DS, Wu PC. The Association between Near Work Activities and Myopia in Children-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One. 2015 Oct 20;10(10):e0140419.
8. Wu PC, Chen CT, Chang LC, Niu YZ, Chen ML, Liao LL, Rose K, Morgan IG. Increased Time Outdoors Is Followed by Reversal of the Long-Term Trend to Reduced Visual Acuity in Taiwan Primary School Students. Ophthalmology. 2020 Nov;127(11):1462-1469. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.01.054.

Previously, myopia was thought of as simply nearsightedness or blurry distance vision.² We now know it’s so much more. Myopia is a chronic, progressive disease that is affecting children at an alarming pace.^2-4 The number of people with myopia has nearly doubled over the past 20 years.⁵ It’s estimated that about one in three children in the U.S are affected by myopia.<sup>1




References:

1. Vitale S et al. Increased prevalence of myopia in the US, 1971-1972, 1999-2004. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(12)1632-1639.
2. Flitcroft DI. The complex interactions of retinal, optical and environmental factors in myopia aetiology. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2012;31(6):622-660.
3. Donovan L, Sankaridurg P, Ho A et al Myopia progression rates in urban children wearing single-vision spectacles. OVS 2012;89(1):27-32.
4. Pärssinen O, Kauppinen M. Risk factors for high myopia: a 22-year follow-up study from childhood to adulthood. Acta Ophthalmologica. 2019;97(5):510-518.
5. Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology 2016;123:1036-42.</sup>

Once a child develops myopia, it is very likely to worsen as they grow, resulting in the need for higher and higher prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses.¹⁰

• Every child should be monitored for myopia from an early age, with annual comprehensive eye exams starting by the age of 5.^11,12
• A comprehensive eye exam – which is much more extensive than an annual vision screening at school – can detect the early signs of myopia, as well as more than 270 systemic and chronic diseases.¹³
• If a child has myopia, treatments are available.

References:

11. American Optometric Association. Annual Comprehensive Eye Exam.
12. Morgan IG, French AN, Ashby RS, Guo X, Ding X, He M, Rose KA. The epidemics of myopia: Aetiology and prevention. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2018 Jan;62:134-149.
13. Systemic Conditions with Ocular and Visual Manifestations. American Optometric Association. December 2019.

Knowledge is the key to making the best decisions for your family. There's a LOT of great information out there. Here's some:

General Information:

• MyKidsVision.org (Australia)
• Paragon CRT
• Euclid (Made in Virginia)

Media & News Articles

• New York Times article on why nearsightedness is on the rise in children.
• The Pandemic Made Kids’ Eyesight Worse, Doctors Say in a 2021 Wall Street Journal article.

Clinical Studies

You know we know... We've known you and your families for years. We also know the experiences of our many patients.

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