The Rise of Myopia and Research on Myopia Control

The prevalence of myopia has increased markedly over recent decades, most strikingly in urban East Asia, where a large majority of young adults in some cities are now myopic. Because the change has been too rapid to be explained by genetics alone, researchers have focused on environmental factors, especially intensive near work and limited time outdoors in childhood. Bright outdoor light is thought to influence eye growth, possibly through retinal dopamine release.

Myopia usually progresses through childhood as the eye elongates, and higher degrees of myopia carry greater lifetime risks of retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, and glaucoma. This has driven research into myopia control, interventions intended to slow progression. Approaches studied in clinical trials include low concentration atropine eye drops, orthokeratology lenses worn overnight, soft multifocal and dual focus contact lenses, and spectacle lenses with peripheral defocus designs.

School based programs that increase outdoor time have also been evaluated. The old belief that deliberately undercorrecting myopia slows it has not been supported by research..