Reclaim Your Vision
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error that causes distance vision to become blurry. The prevalence of myopia is rising, affecting over 30% of the U.S population. A recent study estimates that almost 50% of the world’s population will have myopia by 2050. Untreated myopia can make many daily activities difficult, such as driving or watching TV.
Myopia is caused by light focusing incorrectly in the eye. Typically, this is due to the eyeball becoming too long or the cornea becoming too steep. Blurry vision as a result of myopia is a result of light rays focusing at a point in front of the retina rather than directly on the surface.
Typically, myopia is inherited, but the root cause of the visual disorder is unknown. However, symptoms of myopia can worsen due to various lifestyle habits. Reduced time spent outdoors and an increased amount of time spent on computer screens, phones, video games, and other digital devices may increase the risk of myopia.
Leaving myopia unaddressed may contribute to more severe sight-threatening complications in life, including retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. Myopia management provides the opportunity for clear vision and the potential to slow progression of the axial length of the eye.