Myopia
Myopia is considered a vision disorder, more than a disease. However, its high prevalence and increase in the world make it a real epidemic. We have therefore decided to include it in this section on common diseases.
Disease simulation
Definition and symptoms
What is myopia?
Myopia is the consequence of an eyeball that enlarges.
In the normal eye, the cornea and lens refraction light rays directly onto the retina at the level of the macula, allowing the perception of a sharp image. In myopia, the images are focused on a point located in front of the retina. As a result, vision becomes blurred from a distance.
Who can be affected by myopia?
In France, myopia concerns 20.48% of children aged 0 to 18 and 37% of adults.
How does it affect patient?
People with myopia have difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, while nearby objects appear sharp.
Treatments for myopia
Glasses and contact lenses correct the refraction of the eye by focusing light on the retina.
Laser refractive surgery to reshape the shape of the cornea of the eye and correct myopia.
Orthokeratology involves wearing special rigid contact lenses overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea of the eye, allowing for clear vision during the day. It is often used in children to slow the progression of myopia.
Possible difficulties faced by people with myopia
A person with myopia has blurred or distorted vision of distant objects. She has difficulty driving or doing sports activities that require accurate vision from a distance. She feels the need to get closer to objects to see them clearly. She may also suffer from eye strain or headaches after looking closely for an extended period of time and an increase in the frequency of blinking to improve focus
Research by the Institut de la Vision
Understanding and controlling myopia through an innovative approach combining optics and neurobiology
The Institut de la Vision and ESSILOR, a world leader in ophthalmic optics, are combining their expertise to conduct innovative research aimed at understanding and controlling myopia.
This collaboration gave birth to the MYOPIAMASTER Industrial Chair led by research director Olivier Marre (from the Institut de la Vision). It will increase our understanding of the neuronal mechanisms in the retina that have an impact on eye growth. By combining ex vivo and in vivo studies, researchers will be able to establish predictive models and design new optical devices to curb myopia.
Towards a better understanding of the mechanisms of myopia
As part of their research into congenital and stationary night blindness, Christina Zeitz (from the Institut de la Vision) and her team have identified several genes and molecules that may be involved in the development of myopia. Ultimately, the genes identified could be used to create preventive pharmaceutical treatments and develop personalised care, useful for preventing and slowing the onset of myopia and severe myopia.
podcasts "Au fond des yeux" sur la myopie
read newsletter#24 : Le monde devient myope