Risk of vision loss
Spectacle wearers are increasing by the day. This blog discusses about Myopes or people who wear minus power in glasses. It is estimated that by 2050 half of the world’s population would be Myopic. It is expected that Myopia related vision loss would cross Diabetes related Vision loss in the future.
Catch them young
Myopia or minus power, increases more rapidly when the child is young and hence it is best to catch them early for intervention with for Myopia control therapy or reducing the speed at which the eye power is increasing.
Risk percentage
If one or both parents are Myopic then the risk becomes 3 times and 6 times respectively and is all the more important to get their risk for Myopia assessed.
What are the risks?
Myopes are more prone to complications in adulthood, which include cataracts, glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration and retinal detachment. The last two, being sight threatening. The risk multiplies with every diopter increase.
Options for controling power
The Optometrist would examine the status of various parameters that will help in determining the best option for avoiding future sight threatening problems in the eyes. They could be special type of glasses, contact lenses, eye exercises and medication. To preserve the eye sight myopia control therapy is strongly indicated and it is most effective if started at the youngest possible age.