title: [Myopia, a growing health problem].
abstract: - Myopia is the eye disorder with the most rapid increase in prevalence worldwide. It develops in childhood, with a peak incidence between the ages of 13 to 15 years. - Especially high myopia, i.e. a refractive error of -6 diopters or more, increases the risk of permanent visual impairment during adulthood due to structural abnormalities of the retina and optic nerve.- The cause of myopia is complex. Lifestyle factors in childhood, such as limited time spent outdoors and close work - such as reading and smartphone usage - are risk factors. Furthermore, genetic studies have revealed more than 100 factors associated with the development of myopia. - Pharmacological and optical interventions to inhibit myopia progression are increasingly applied. The use of atropine eye drops in children and has shown to be an effective treatment.
authors.affiliation: Erasmus MC, afd. Oogheelkunde, Rotterdam.
authors.forename: J W L
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Tideman
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Polling
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Schans
authors.forename: V J M
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Verhoeven
authors.forename: C C W
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Klaver
mesh_terms: D014943:Global Health; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009216:Myopia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors