Who is affected by nearsightedness


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Who is affected by nearsightedness


Common nearsightedness (physiological myopia) affects about 1 in 4 adults.1

Severe nearsightedness, called high myopia (error of 6 diopters or more), affects about 1 in 6 people who are nearsighted.1

Pathological myopia is not common. The gradual damage to the retina caused by pathological myopia seldom appears before age 20.

References


Citations

  1. Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group (2004). The prevalence of refractive errors among adults in the United States, western Europe, and Australia. Archives of Ophthalmology, 122(4): 495–505.

Credits


Author Robin Parks, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Michele Cronen
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD

- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Carol L. Karp, MD

- Ophthalmology
Last Updated July 7, 2007

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Last updated: July 07, 2007
Author: Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology
Editors: Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman

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