25% of Germans are nearsighted. Young people are particularly affected. Experts also observe an extreme increase in the numbers. By 2050, they estimate, 54% of the world’s population will have myopia. In 2000 it was 23%. Those who are nearsighted have a higher risk of retinal detachment or glaucoma or cataract to get sick. To prevent this, doctors try to slow the progression of myopia. Good news now comes from America.
Nearsighted vs. Farsighted
Is nearsightedwho can see clearly in the vicinity but can only perceive objects further away in a blurred manner. Farsightedness means the opposite. Refractive errors are measured in diopters. Myopia have a negative reading, and farsighted people have a positive reading. There are clear assignments to age groups. Younger people are more likely to suffer from nearsightedness, while from the age of 50 about twice as many are farsighted as nearsighted.
This is behind the poor eyesight
In order to see clearly, the incident light has to be focused directly on the retina. In the case of ametropia, this process no longer works sufficiently. The light is focused in front of or behind the retina. The cause is either an eyeball that is too long or too short or that the refractive power of the eye is too strong or too weak. With myopia, either the eyeball is too long or the refractive power is too strong. This focuses the light in front of the retina.
Declining eyesight on the rise
Risk factors for myopia are conditions like diabetes (Mellitus diabetes) or cataracts. There can also be genetic predispositions. Premature births are also at increased risk. However, it is still not entirely clear to the researchers why myopia is spreading so rapidly. In China, only a fifth of people were nearsighted until a few decades ago. Today 95% of Chinese youth are affected. Experts are observing a similarly dramatic development in Europe.
Hope from America
One thing is certain: more and more people (especially young people) suffer from nearsightedness worldwide. In order to avoid possible complications such as retinal detachment, it is very important to medicine to slow down or even stop the progression of the ametropia. This task also presented itself Team am College for Optometry an der Ohio State University. They treated nearly 300 children with three different types of contact lenses for over 3 years. The result: a new type of soft contact lens was more effective than the other two at slowing down vision deterioration.
In contrast to conventional contact lenses These new lenses also focus the light falling from the side. Normal people don’t, which is how they stimulate the eyeball to elongate. This in turn favors the progression of myopia. The new, soft contact lenses slow this process by 43%.
Further treatment alternatives
But there is also other treatment options for myopia. Some doctors prescribe rigid contact lenses (Ortho-K lenses) that only have to be worn at night. They temporarily deform the cornea so that glasses do not have to be worn the following day.
Another treatment option to slow the progression of myopia is atropine. The drug is usually used to dilate the pupils during an ophthalmological exam. In the young patients of a German study, myopia increased by 1.05 diopters a year before the study. After a year of treatment it was only 0.4 diopters. The therapy is not yet approved in Germany, which means that parents have to pay for the costs themselves. In addition, around 10-20% of children do not respond to treatment.
How does myopia develop?
But why are so many children nearsighted anyway? Researchers are not yet clear about the exact processes behind the increasing numbers. In addition to a genetic predisposition, however, “looking up close” is primarily blamed. A reading distance that is too short (less than 30cm), reading phases that are too long, but also the increased use of smartphones and the like are particularly meant here. In addition, the time outdoors, in bright light, plays a role. Two hours in the fresh air can cut the risk by half.
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