MYOPIA

I.                    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Myopia is the refractive anomaly of the eye in which the conjugate focus of the retina is at some finite point in front of the eye, when the eye is not accommodating. It can also be described as the refractive condition in which parallel light rays from an object at optical infinity are focused by the eye in front of the retina, with accommodation relaxed. Myopia is derived from the term "muopia" which, in Greek, means to close the eyes. It manifests itself as blurred distance vision, hence, the popular term "nearsightedness." Clear distance vision can be restored by the application of the proper minus power (concave) spectacle or contact lenses or corneal modification procedures in which corneal refractive power is decreased. In some cases of pseudomyopia, unaided distance vision can be improved with vision therapy.

Myopia is a highly significant problem, not only because of its high prevalence, but also because it can contribute to visual morbidity and increase the risk for vision-threatening conditions (e.g., retinal breaks and detachment, glaucoma). Because myopia is associated with reduced distance vision without optical correction, it can be a limiting factor in occupational choices. Uncorrected myopia prevents the individual from seeing distant objects clearly. In addition, the posterior segment changes in the myopic eye place it at risk for the development of other ocular conditions.

Activity: Based on the test you read, answer the following questions:

1.       Draw an eye with myopia

2.       How you can describe vision of an eye with myopia?

3.       How we can restored clear distance vision in a myopia patient?

4.       In which cases we have to do therapy?

5.       Do you think myopia is a problem for public health?