Myopia ‐ Its etiology and prevalence

Abstract

AbstractPurpose Myopia (short‐ sightedness) is a significant health problem that is fast rising in prevalence in many parts of world including Europe and USA and at a much higher percentage for population in parts of Asia. Also high myopia is associated with the risk of developing other sight threatening eye conditions.Methods An analysis of the published prevalence rates for myopia with the risks and morbidity associated with high levels of myopia. Also factors that are considered to play a role in the development and progression of the condition will be discussed with emphasis on published data for the role of these factors.Results Whilst the role of individual factors is yet to be elucidated both environmental and genetic factors have been considered to play a role. An increased prevalence of myopia in urban versus rural populations, association with outdoor/indoor work, supports and provides evidence for the role of environment. In this regard, many of the previous efforts have focussed on accommodative effort and blur at the central retina during near visual tasks. More recent evidence suggests that the peripheral retina also plays a role in emmetropisation and development of refractive errors.Conclusion This presentation will discuss the rates and differences in the prevalence of myopia across various populations. In addition, current hypotheses considering the aetiology of development and progression of myopia will be discussed. Commercial interest