Are there any myopia prevention methods for older people?

Question

Hello doctor,

As a concerned granddaughter, I am worried about my grandmother, who has dealt with myopia for many years. I would like to understand the reasons behind the globally increasing rates of myopia, which some have described as an epidemic. I want to know the following:

What are the primary lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors contributing to the rise in myopia cases worldwide?
What preventive measures or interventions could help address this growing public health issue, especially for older adults like my grandmother?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Ophthalmic care has been the rapid global rise in myopia, also called nearsightedness. Myopic individuals, especially those who are highly myopic with a spherical equivalent of −6.00D or more, have more than just the need for spectacle correction, as they may also have chronic pathologic visual changes that include retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, amblyopia, and early-onset cataract.

Highly myopic individuals are 20 times more likely to have a retinal detachment. Younger age at the onset of myopia is the highest independent risk factor for myopia progression. Patients who have at least -1.25D of myopia, particularly if they are aged six to seven years old, are at higher risk. The prevalence of myopia exceeds 80 percent in some regions, and there is a two-times higher prevalence of myopia.

The increased amount of time spent outdoors is protective against the development of incident myopia. Several studies have investigated the association between parental myopia and their child’s risk for developing myopia. Preventative therapy for myopia progression currently has three aims: to screen patients with risk factors for myopia progression and to stabilize myopic progression.

For prevention, wear eyeglasses, including reading glasses, bifocals, and progressive lenses. You can also use contact lenses, including monovision and multifocal lenses. Laser surgery and other refractive surgery procedures are also an option.

I hope this helps.

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.