June 2022 Edition
Myopia Management
Myopia, or near-sightedness, affects about 25%of the American population¹. The concern about myopia as of late has been how the numbers have changed over the past few decades and how they are expected to change in the future. In 2000, roughly 30 million Americans were myopic. By 2050, we estimate that 44 million will be². This is an exponential increase that will affect the younger generations as they age. We know that there is a genetic component to myopia, however this rapid rise is not explained by genetics alone. There are a variety of reasons that explain why myopia numbers are increasing. A few strong suggestions are that near- work demands from computers and tablets has increased dramatically over the years, while time spent outdoors has decreased³. Unfortunately, this is the world we live in and these variables are difficult to control.
Myopia in and of itself is nothing to necessarily be concerned about. It is simply one of the four refractive errors someone can have. What can be problematic about myopia however is the degree of it. For example, someone being a -8.50 instead of a -1.50. This is where the concern comes in for providers because additional trends in myopia statistics show that the degree of myopia is also increasing⁴. As the degree of myopia increases, so does the risk of serious ocular complications such as retinal tears and detachments, cataracts, glaucoma, and reduced vision.
Fortunately, myopia can be corrected with spectacles, contact lenses, and minor surgical procedures. Additionally, new and exciting therapies have been developed to meet this growing demand. Most have targeted the pediatric demographic because evidence supports that intervening during the developmental years significantly reduces the degree of myopia progression in adolescence and adulthood. What this means is that early-intervention may keep patients at -1.50 instead of progressing to -8.50. These therapies include prescription drops, rigid contact lenses, relaxing spectacle lenses, and soft contact lenses. Each therapy is catered to the unique needs of the patient and can be implemented after a comprehensive eye examination. An ideal time to screen children for myopia is before they enter kindergarten. However, astute parents that notice their children sitting close to the TV, holding objects close to their face, or aversion to distance activities are encouraged to bring their children in sooner.
Myopia, or near-sightedness, affects about 25%of the American population¹. The concern about myopia as of late has been how the numbers have changed over the past few decades and how they are expected to change in the future. In 2000, roughly 30 million Americans were myopic. By 2050, we estimate that 44 million will be². This is an exponential increase that will affect the younger generations as they age. We know that there is a genetic component to myopia, however this rapid rise is not explained by genetics alone. There are a variety of reasons that explain why myopia numbers are increasing. A few strong suggestions are that near- work demands from computers and tablets has increased dramatically over the years, while time spent outdoors has decreased³. Unfortunately, this is the world we live in and these variables are difficult to control.
Myopia in and of itself is nothing to necessarily be concerned about. It is simply one of the four refractive errors someone can have. What can be problematic about myopia however is the degree of it. For example, someone being a -8.50 instead of a -1.50. This is where the concern comes in for providers because additional trends in myopia statistics show that the degree of myopia is also increasing⁴. As the degree of myopia increases, so does the risk of serious ocular complications such as retinal tears and detachments, cataracts, glaucoma, and reduced vision.
Fortunately, myopia can be corrected with spectacles, contact lenses, and minor surgical procedures. Additionally, new and exciting therapies have been developed to meet this growing demand. Most have targeted the pediatric demographic because evidence supports that intervening during the developmental years significantly reduces the degree of myopia progression in adolescence and adulthood. What this means is that early-intervention may keep patients at -1.50 instead of progressing to -8.50. These therapies include prescription drops, rigid contact lenses, relaxing spectacle lenses, and soft contact lenses. Each therapy is catered to the unique needs of the patient and can be implemented after a comprehensive eye examination. An ideal time to screen children for myopia is before they enter kindergarten. However, astute parents that notice their children sitting close to the TV, holding objects close to their face, or aversion to distance activities are encouraged to bring their children in sooner.
References
1. Nearsightedness (myopia) data and Statistics. National Eye Institute. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/outreach-campaigns-and-resources/eye-health-data-and-statistics/nearsightedness-myopia-data-and-statistics. Accessed May 12, 2022.
2. Nearsightedness (myopia) tables. National Eye Institute. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/outreach-campaigns-and-resources/eye-health-data-and-statistics/nearsightedness-myopia-data-and-statistics/nearsightedness-myopia-tables. Accessed May 12, 2022.
3. Tyler J. Myopia treatments: How to choose and when to use? Review of Optometry. https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/myopia-treatments-how-to-choose-and-when-to-use. Published January 15, 2019. Accessed May 12, 2022.
4. Holden BA, Wilson DA, Jong M, et al. Myopia: a growing global problem with sight-threatening complications. Community Eye Health. 2015;28(90):35.
5.Image: https://www.aao.org/editors-choice/parental-myopia-tied-to-higher-risk-of-early-onset
1. Nearsightedness (myopia) data and Statistics. National Eye Institute. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/outreach-campaigns-and-resources/eye-health-data-and-statistics/nearsightedness-myopia-data-and-statistics. Accessed May 12, 2022.
2. Nearsightedness (myopia) tables. National Eye Institute. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/outreach-campaigns-and-resources/eye-health-data-and-statistics/nearsightedness-myopia-data-and-statistics/nearsightedness-myopia-tables. Accessed May 12, 2022.
3. Tyler J. Myopia treatments: How to choose and when to use? Review of Optometry. https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/myopia-treatments-how-to-choose-and-when-to-use. Published January 15, 2019. Accessed May 12, 2022.
4. Holden BA, Wilson DA, Jong M, et al. Myopia: a growing global problem with sight-threatening complications. Community Eye Health. 2015;28(90):35.
5.Image: https://www.aao.org/editors-choice/parental-myopia-tied-to-higher-risk-of-early-onset