Does Myopia Resolve on Its Own?

Does Myopia Resolve on Its Own?

Myopia 一 more often referred to as nearsightedness 一 is a common eye refractive error in children and adults. Myopia makes objects in the distance appear blurry, and unfortunately, nearsightedness is considered a global epidemic. Approximately 27% of the global population has myopia, and this number is projected to skyrocket up to 52% by the year 2050.

Myopia is the leading cause of visual impairment, so it’s only natural to wonder if it can resolve on its own. That’s the question that Nicanor Lacsina, O.D., and Yelena Pinkhasova, O.D., answer below.

Does myopia resolve on its own?

With myopia, the shape of your eye stops the light entering your eye from bending properly. If your cornea is curved too much or your eye is longer than normal, the light hits the front of your retina rather than on your retina, which results in blurry vision.

Unfortunately, myopia doesn’t resolve on its own. Myopia 一 often diagnosed in childhood 一 can worsen during the teenage years, when growth spurts (fueled by growth hormones) lead to vision changes. That being said, myopia can stabilize over the years. As the growth hormones slow down, adults between the ages of 20 and 40 don’t often experience such intense shifts in vision. 

Note: It’s still possible to experience vision changes as an adult, but the year-to-year changes aren’t as prevalent as during adolescence. 

Slowing down the progression of myopia

Research has shown that spending time outdoors can provide many health benefits for your eyes. According to a 2017 meta-analysis and systematic review, researchers found that spending 76 minutes outside each day reduced the onset of myopia by 50%. However, researchers noted that this benefit only helped reduce myopia from developing; it didn’t have the same impact on people’s eyes who already had myopia. Although spending time outside won’t reverse myopia, it does give your eyes a chance to focus on distant objects, which is good for your eyes.

If you already have myopia, there are many things you can do to help support the health of your eyes:

If you suspect that your myopia has worsened, don’t postpone your eye exam. Updating your prescription can help reduce eye fatigue, squinting, and the resulting headaches.

With over 20 years of experience in diagnosing and treating myopia, the expert team at Bainbridge Eye Care performs personalized and comprehensive eye exams for people ages 5+ living in the Norwood neighborhood of Bronx, New York City.

Get started by calling 718-306-9127 or requesting an appointment online today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Is There a Way to Avoid Glaucoma?

Glaucoma, a condition in which high eye pressure damages your optic nerve, is one of the leading causes of blindness across the globe. Due to the severity of this condition, it’s natural to wonder if there’s a way to avoid glaucoma. Find out here.

Help! I Have Astigmatism

Do you suspect that you or your child have astigmatism? It’s a common refractive error, but it’s one we treat regularly. Read on to learn how we can help you see clearly once again.

Are Sunglasses Really Necessary?

Sunglasses may be the finishing touch on your outfit, but are they really necessary? Absolutely! We explore four main reasons sunglasses are necessary no matter what the season.

How to Help Your Child Take Care of Their Eyes

Besides scheduling routine eye exams, what other ways can you help take care of your child’s eyes? That’s the question we tackle here. Read on and discover top tips for making sure your child’s eyes stay healthy.

Should I Get Glasses or Contact Lenses?

Maybe your prescription has changed, or you’re just starting to suspect you need glasses. But one big question remains: should you get glasses or contact lenses? Read on to find out.

8 Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss. Thankfully, catching the condition early gives you a chance to slow the vision loss. That’s why knowing your risk factors is so important. Read on to learn more.