Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the inability to focus or see objects at a distance and has become a common eye disease in recent decades.
In recent years, myopia has become even more prevalent, and genetic and environmental factors have led to a myopia “epidemic” worldwide. Currently, over 26.9% of the UK population is affected by the condition. The BBC points out that the prevalence is even higher in countries such as Singapore, where 80% are myopic. Researchers therefore estimate that at this rate, by 2050, around half the world’s population will need visual aids to mitigate myopia.
Although having short-sighted parents may mean you’re more likely to be short-sighted later in life, experts argue that the causes of myopia are more behavioral than genetic. In fact, today’s rise in myopia cases is attributed to increased screen time and digital device use. When we spend more time focusing on objects directly in front of our eyes – like a book or drawing pad – we prioritize close-up viewing over watching TV, increasing the likelihood of developing myopia. So while too much screen time can be harmful to the eyes, off-screen activities like reading a good book or drawing on paper can also affect vision.
In the face of this growing epidemic, stakeholders in the eye care and ophthalmology sectors are working to raise public awareness of the disease and facilitate treatment for nearsighted people, emphasizing the importance of early detection and using modern technologies to better address the increasing cases of myopia worldwide.
The importance of early detection
One of the best ways to treat myopia, or short-sightedness, is to detect it as early as possible through an eye examination. Online, users can streamline the process by searching for and booking eye examinations with reputable retailers. Vision Express shows that users can benefit from more than just a quick way to book these tests: integrated retail products and services mean they can get a myopia diagnosis, corrective glasses and treatment plans all in one place. Visitors can use the website to book both NHS-funded and advanced in-store vision tests, which come with face-to-face treatment advice as standard. From here, people diagnosed with myopia can browse their catalogue of affordable glasses and contact lenses for the corrective aids they need.
Of all these tools, corrective glasses are the most common option for treating myopia. Eyeglass manufacturers offer lens upgrades to add features for better myopia management, depending on your lifestyle. For example, Nikon Lenswear offers glasses with blue light filters and anti-reflective lens coatings to prevent eye strain and further myopia progression caused by the use of modern devices. The reason you want to stop this progression is to prevent severe myopia. This more serious stage of the condition can put you at risk of vision loss from posterior vitreous detachment, retinal detachment, glaucoma, or cataracts, which is why leading organizations like the Brien Holden Vision Institute run educational campaigns on the consequences of myopia progression.
Other options for treating myopia
In addition to regular eye exams and wearing glasses, eye doctors also recommend other methods to treat myopia. Contact lenses are a good alternative for people who find glasses uncomfortable. Recent innovations allow the use of lenses overnight, which can reshape the cornea and potentially reverse myopia progression. In other cases, people who suffer from myopia may need LASIK or LASEK surgery. Intraocular lenses can also be used for people who are severely myopia-stricken or are not suitable for procedures such as LASIK. Some intraocular lenses are used before a cataract develops.
As science and technology continue to evolve, new and innovative solutions for myopia are constantly being developed. Google is currently testing smartphone sensors that allow users to take eyeball images at home, which you can share with your eye doctor to monitor the progression of myopia. This way, they can adjust your treatment plan if necessary. A Nature study published in February 2024 also investigated the potential of a battery-free eye modulation patch for the treatment of high myopia.
The system can be wirelessly powered and controlled by external ultrasound to precisely shorten the axial length by pushing the posterior sclera inward. This helps ensure accurate imaging of the scene on the retina in nearsighted eyes. Researchers say this is more effective than current surgical methods and could become the leading myopia treatment in the future.
