Myopia; why is it an issue?
November 19, 2020
Myopia or nearsightedness is a condition where light is focused in front of the retina. This leads to blurred distance vision. It is estimated that 30% of Canadians are nearsighted, and the number is rising quickly with more children being diagnosed at an increasingly younger age. Myopia develops through the teenage years and usually stabilizes in the mid-20s.
The risks of high degrees of myopia include an increased incidence of sight-threatening conditions such as:
- retinal detachments
- retinal degeneration
- glaucoma
- cataracts
Myopia tends to continually worsen as a child grows and the demands upon their eyes increase. If you or your child is showing large changes in myopia, come in and talk to one of our doctors about some of the myopia control options that are now available.