What is Myopia?
Myopia, also known as ‘short-sightedness’ or ‘near-sightedness’, causes people to have difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. It is estimated that half the world’s population will be myopic by 2050. In addition to causing people to need corrective lenses, being myopic increases the risk of developing glaucoma, cataract and retinal detachment.
While myopia cannot be reversed once it has occurred, research has shown that various therapies can substantially reduce its progression.
Myopia has a genetic predisposition but is also influenced by lifestyle and environment.
Recent studies have shown that time outdoors in some outdoor sport or leisure activity has a strong protective effect against myopia (it was recommended that one hour per day be spent outdoors).
