- Experts say that developing nearsightedness as a child might be an indication of a higher risk of developing high myopia at a later age.
- Researchers say daily use of low-dose atropine eyedrops in children may delay or prevent the onset of myopia.
- Experts say the findings are intriguing, but more research is needed to determine how effective these eyedrops are in treating and preventing myopia.
Myopia or nearsightedness is when individuals can see close objects clearly but items at a distance are blurred.
Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved. According to the American Optometric Association, nearly 30% of the population in the United States is nearsighted.
Developing myopia at an earlier age can be an
“It’s pretty rare when they happen, but when they do, they’re devastating,” Dr. Jeffrey Walline, an associate dean for research at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, told Medical News Today.
Experts believe myopia to be on the rise around the world. It’s estimated that by 2050 about 50% of the world population will have myopia.
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The prevalence of myopia in children is higher in East Asian countries.
“We’re seeing some increases in the U.S. population as well,” Dr. Evan Silverstein, a pediatric ophthalmologist at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, told Medical News Today. “But the prevalence is not as high as it is in East Asia, which is why a lot of these [myopia] studies are coming out…
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