According to a report in the Archives of Ophthalmology, incidents of Nearsightedness (Myopia) are on the United States. According to researcher Susan Vitale, PhD, MHS, and colleagues at the National Eye Institute, who compared statistics gathered in government surveys from 1971-1972 and 1999-2004, nearsightedness was much more common from 1999 to 2004 than it was 30 years ago. In fact, nearsightedness increased by nearly 42% from 1999 to 2004. Today, more than 47 million Americans aged 20 and older suffer from nearsightedness.
“This is a big issue and we are devoting millions of dollars to study the problem,” said Vitale. “We are studying the risk factors, but thankfully, this is a condition we really have good treatments for.”

Signs and Symptoms of Nearsightedness
Nearsightedness is a very common condition, currently affecting nearly 30% of the U.S. population. It typically develops early in school-age children and progresses until about the age of 20. However, nearsightedness can also develop later in life as a result of outside risk factors, especially near work: reading, more time behind computers and TV sets, and playing video games.
Signs and symptoms of nearsightedness include:
- Objects in the distance appear blurred or blurry.
- Eyestrain
- Headaches
- A person with nearsightedness can easily read the Jaeger eye chart (the chart for near reading), but has trouble reading the Snellen eye chart (the chart for distance).
If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist – at your earliest convenience. Any change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention.
Myopia is also associated with certain conditions, such as glaucoma and retinal detachment. All the more reason to get an eye exam regularly.
If you have any questions about our blog, “Nearsightedness (Myopia) is on the Rise in the U.S., according to Report,” or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at the Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or visiting AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!
For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.
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