advice
Near
sighted
Vanessa Thai introduces
the signs and symptoms
of myopia, a common
condition in Hong Kong,
and explains how it can
be treated
Normal vision
Myopia
Correction with lens
What is myopia?
Myopia, also known as short/near-
sightedness is the term that describes
when you are able to see objects clearly
up close (laptop or book) but not at a
distance (TV/movie screen or difficulty
recognising people in the distance).
Myopia occurs in eyes that focus
images in front of, rather than directly
on, the retina causing blurred vision.
This is caused by, either acting alone
or in combination, the cornea or lens
being misshapen or the eyeball being
too long.
Signs and symptoms
Undiagnosed myopia can lead to
headaches and eyestrain as distance
vision is blurred.
A myopic child may:
• Squint to see distant objects
• Have trouble seeing the board in the
classroom
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• Have poor reading posture
• Show little interest in outdoor games
Onset and prevalence
Genetics and the environment play a role
in the development and progression of
myopia. Environmental factors include
prolonged near focusing tasks, eyelid
pressure, poor lighting and reduced
outdoor time. Children who suffer
from myopia at a young age are at an
increased risk of high myopia later in life.
High myopia contributes to higher risks
of retinal complications, cataract and
glaucoma, which may result in blindness.
The prevalence of myopia is increasing
at an alarming rate – with studies
suggesting that up to 80 per cent of the
population in some East Asian countries
may be myopic, mainly due to intensive
education and less time spent outdoors.
It is estimated that 2.6 billion people or 30
per cent of the world’s population will be
myopic by year 2020.