The problem of myopia in the practice of a family doctor

Abstract

Myopia (nearsightedness) is the most common type of refractive error and is a growing global public health issue affecting quality of life and work productivity. Myopia is most often associated with axial elongation of the eyeball and can be caused by both hereditary and environmental factors. The global prevalence of myopia is estimated to rise to 5 billion people by 2050, of whom nearly 1 billion people are likely to develop high myopia. Stopping the development and progression of myopia is critical as high myopia is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Despite the growing awareness of myopia, the practice of its treatment and prevention remains unchanged among practicing family physicians. The mechanism of many myopia treatments and their role in high myopia are still unclear. In the absence of any established clinical guidelines for the treatment of myopia, the best treatment strategy is to study modifiable risk factors, develop preventive strategies, and possibly integrate them with school vision screening programs.