The frequency of myopia is increasing, so the World Health Organization estimates that half of the world's population could suffer from it by 2050.
You can see objects that are close to you, but those that are far away are blurry. Maybe you're suffering from a headache and your vision is blurry.
If that sounds familiar, you may be nearsighted or farsighted. These questions and answers help explain this common vision disorder, writes Hina.
What is myopia?
The word comes from the Greek "myops", which means to squint. Excessive squinting and squinting is one of the signs of myopia, a condition in which you can see nearby objects clearly, but not distant ones.
Renowned German ophthalmologist Tim Behme says that myopia is not a disease but a deviation from normal. The frequency of myopia is increasing, so the World Health Organization estimates that half of the world's population could suffer from it by 2050. The more severe the myopia, the more severe the consequences can be if left untreated. One of them is retinal detachment.
Therefore, it is important to make a diagnosis as soon as possible. Ophthalmologists will determine this by carefully examining the eye and the refraction (refraction) of light that helps focus the object and, if necessary, will determine the appropriate diopter to correct the eye's refractive errors.
What causes it?
"It usually occurs when the eyeball is too long," says Frank Schaefel, professor at the Institute of Ophthalmology at the University of Tuebingen.
Because the eyeball is too long, the focus 'falls' in front of the retina, and not on it, which makes it impossible to create a focused image of a distant object.
"An adult's eyeball that's just a millimeter too long results in -2,7 dioptres of myopia," Schaeffel says, referring to the unit of measurement that describes refractive error.
Who is more prone to myopia?
The condition usually occurs between the ages of 6 and 25, experts say, but it's not entirely clear why.
Genetic predisposition plays only a minor role, says Australian ophthalmologist Ian Morgan. Scientists point to external influences, such as work that involves excessive eye strain by looking at objects at a very short distance.
And in adults?
In adults, after about age XNUMX, only the symptoms of myopia can be treated, but not the disorder itself, says Behme.
The person must wear appropriate glasses or contact lenses. Laser eye surgery is also an option, writes Hina.
Bonus video:
