Myopia (Nearsightedness)
What is Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Nearsightedness (myopia) is the ability to see clearly at a near distance, but far objects are less clear. The conventional belief is that myopia occurs secondary to an excessive curvature of the cornea and/or a longer-than-normal eyeball. The degree of nearsightedness can vary widely, as can the age of onset and the rate of progression. Most myopia develops during the school years and stabilizes in the teenage years.
The widespread use of computers has made the problem worse. In the 1980s, before the present computer-driven world, only 2% of Dutch army recruits from a farming background were myopic, but 32% of those with an advanced education were nearsighted. Presently, in some urban parts of Asia, the percentage is nearing 90%. Half of the world’s population will be myopic by 2050 if current trends continue.
