Here are five things to know:
1. The prevalence of myopia has nearly doubled over the last 50 years.
2. The ophthalmologists believe the increase is due to “near work” — focusing on something close to your eyes — and the decreased amount of time spent outdoors in natural light.
3. The panel took place at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting held in Las Vegas.
4. Nearsightedness is more common in children whose parents are also nearsighted, according to K. David Epley, spokesman for AAO.
5. Children of East Asian descent are genetically predisposed to nearsightedness. The current rate of myopia in China is 90 percent compared to about 10 to 20 percent 60 years ago. This compares to a rate of 42 percent for Americans between the ages of 12 and 54.
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