Myopia Information
Summary of myopia rates and why they are growing globally. The article reviews the roles of genetics, ethnicity, screen time and outdoor time. https://www.nature.com/articles/519276a
Article from the American Academy of Ophthalmology summarizing some of the research on outdoor time and provides links to several studies. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/children-vision-development
A landmark study in 2015 by the National Institute of Health confirming an alarming increase in the rate of myopia in children in the U.S. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4457538
Vision Report released from the World Health Organization in 2019 noting the significant increase in myopia globally. https://www.who.int/news/item/08-10-2019-who-launches-first-world-report-on-vision
A population-based prospective study regarding myopia incidence and lifestyle changes among school children during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://bjo.bmj.com/content/early/2021/07/15/bjophthalmol-2021-319307
In 2019, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) created the Task Force on Myopia in recognition of the substantial global increases in myopia prevalence and its associated complications https://www.aaojournal.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0161-6420%2820%2931043-5
Wall Street Journal article regarding myopia changes for children during the COVID pandemic. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-pandemic-made-kids-eyesight-worse-doctors-say-11622484000
New York Times article describing the myopia epidemic.
Myopia Associated Eye Health Risks
Summary of the serious eye diseases associated with higher myopia, including retinal disease, glaucoma and cataracts. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4675264
Meta-analysis of numerous clinical studies by the National Institute of Health.(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29699985
Chart which helps describe the diseases associated with myopia. https://reviewofmm.com/relative-risk-of-ocular-disease-secondary-to-myopia
Options for Myopia Management
Article from Bascom Palmer Eye institute describing the treatment options and recommendations for controlling myopia. https://news.umiamihealth.org/en/is-myopia-treatment-right-for-your-child
Large UK study using night lenses (orthokeratology) to control myopia. https://www.sciencealert.com/contact-lenses-worn-by-sleeping-children-can-prevent-short-sightedness
Report from the American Academy of Ophthalmology summarizing the use of prescription eye drops to control myopia https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/low-dose-atropine-kids-with-myopia
American Optometric Association article discussing multifocal soft contact lenses for myopia control.
Myopia Management Clinical Studies
Article published by The International Myopia Institute detailing clinical trial guidelines and results from studies of various myopia treatments and the importance of measuring axial length. https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2727316#212158393
The ATOM2 study provides the greatest information on the effectiveness of prescription eye drops on treating childhood myopia. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21963266
Retrospective 12 year cohort study about the effects of myopia control through the use of night lenses (orthokeratology). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5721542
Summary of a study which concludes that multifocal soft contact lenses were successful in controlling myopia. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31343513