The vast majority of the population will show no myopia at the age of five. In the west, about 30% of the population will develop myopia during their school years, especially during their early teens. In the Asian population, the percentage of the people with myopia is much higher, reaching 90% in some university courses.
The risk factors for developing myopia can include:- Having one or both parents with myopia
- A desire or need to sustain close work such as reading or computer work for long periods
- A need for detail and exactness in school work
- Little desire to take part in team outdoor activities
- Optometric findings such as:
- Poor focusing flexibility
- A focusing system that is 'out of tune' with working distance
- A tendency to turn eyes in too much when working at near tasks
- A tendency for eyes to diverge at a distance
These findings are the minds way of controlling the visual system for its purpose of gathering and processing information. These factors may be seen in those who, at present, show no myopia - their eyesight may be normal.
Myopia control is the attempt to influence brain processing and the growth of the eyes such that clear sight is sustained. It requires not only possible special lenses and/or vision therapy, but also a commitment from the patients themselves to change habits, ways of working, and possibly nutrition to be successful.
Total prevention of Myopia in a person who either has a predisposition to myopia, or is starting to become myopic, is very difficult and requires much dedication and commitment. This can be difficult for a child, as he or she often does not feel there is a problem. However, therapy can still be beneficial in reducing the rate of progress of the myopia, in improving the persons visual efficiency, and in putting in place good working habits.