How to prevent myopia?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have noticed that a lot of my friends and family members seem to be getting glasses for nearsightedness lately, and I am a bit worried. I have always had pretty good vision, but I am starting to wonder if I might be at risk of developing myopia, too. Is there some kind of epidemic happening with nearsightedness? What are the main causes behind this increase in cases? Also, are there any early warning signs I should watch out for, or is there anything I can do to prevent myopia from developing? I have heard about things like spending too much time on screens or not enough time outdoors. Are these factors linked to nearsightedness?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness. The common signs and symptoms associated with myopia include:

Blurry vision when looking at distant objects (with clear vision when looking at close items).
Squinting or headaches when trying to see distant objects.
Difficulty seeing objects in low light conditions.
Eye fatigue and strain after prolonged reading or computer use.
Difficulty driving at night due to glare from oncoming headlights.

Myopia is a serious and growing problem that will affect low- or middle-income countries as they become more urbanized, especially when educational demands increase.

Complications of myopia include:

A higher risk of eye diseases, particularly those caused by a thinning retina, such as retinal detachment and glaucoma.
Cataracts may develop at a younger age, than those without myopia due to the additional strain on the lens created by the myopic lenses.
Strabismus (crossed eyes) or amblyopia (lazy eye) can result when one eye sees more clearly than the other and causes it to become weaker than its counterpart.
Individuals with high degrees of myopia can suffer from decreased visual field and night vision disturbances, which can lead to impaired driving.
Myopic maculopathy is a condition in which the macula (the most sensitive area at the center of the retina) becomes damaged from too much stress due to high amounts of near work, such as reading or using a computer for extended periods.

Prevention:

Spend some time outdoors each day: Natural sunlight helps to reduce the development of myopia. Try to spend at least 15 to 20 minutes outdoors every day in a safe place with sufficient UV (ultraviolet) protection.

Treatment: One of the most exciting developments in the world of refractive surgery has been the advent of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

I hope this information helps you.

Revert in case of queries.

Regards.