Early Detection and Prevention of Myopia in Children

Our understanding of the dynamic interaction between the eye’s growth and its ability to adapt to maintain vision has shown that childhood myopia is a significant prediction of progressive myopia and the potentially severe ocular co morbidities associated with it. The prevalence of myopia around the world has increased recently. Previous studies have shown that 9 to 16 years of age is the fastest growing period for adolescent myopia. Other than genetic factors, environment is also an important contributing factor in the development of myopia. Previous studies showed that parental myopia, in even only one parent, leads to an increased risk for juvenile myopia. It is important for us to better understand this process and its risk factors in order to better develop a prevention and treatment strategy. This article will discuss the epidemiology, risk factors and current therapeutic regimens for reducing myopic progression [1].