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MANAGING MYOPIA IMAGE

MYOPIA

A Growing Epidemic

WHAT IS MYOPIA?

Myopia is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by excessive eye elongation, risk of associated sight-threatening complications, and a negative-powered refractive error.1-3

MANAGING MYOPIA IMAGE

GROWING GLOBAL EPIDEMIC

  • Reports of increased myopia prevalence in children first emerged in Asia in the 1980s4, 5
  • The number of people with myopia has nearly doubled within the past 20 years in both eastern and western societies6.
  • Prevalence among young adults is reported to be above 80% in many Asian regions,7 and 50% in the U.S. and parts of Europe.8, 9
  • Children in the first wave of high myopia prevalence (those born after 1970) are now on the cusp of experiencing sight-threatening complications as adults.10, 11, 12

NO SAFE LEVEL OF MYOPIA

  • The elongated eye is susceptible to pathological complications with significant risks to eye health and vision12, 14
  • Any degree of myopia increases the risk of sight-threatening complications, with some complications leading to blindness in adulthood15, 16
  • Each diopter increase in myopia results in 67% increased risk of myopic macular degeneration (MMD)17

Any degree of myopia increases the risk of sight-threatening complications.

CONTROLLING MYOPIA PROGRESSION image

MANAGING MYOPIA

  • Eye care professionals have the opportunity to manage myopia.
  • Increased time outdoors can delay myopia onset18 and may slow its progression19

IN PRACTICE