Causes of Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia is an eye condition in which distant objects appear blurry, while nearby objects can be seen clearly. It usually develops between the ages of 6 and 14 and tends to worsen during the teenage years, when the body grows rapidly and the eyes spend more time focusing on close-up tasks.

The degree and severity of myopia vary from person to person, ranging from mild to high myopia, where vision can be significantly affected. If you notice symptoms of myopia, it is recommended to visit the Eye Center at Al Batal Specialized Complex in Jeddah, where an experienced and highly qualified medical team can provide a comprehensive eye evaluation and help you receive appropriate treatment for nearsightedness.

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Main Causes of Myopia

The exact reasons why people develop myopia are not yet fully understood, but both genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role in its development. Some studies have shown that a child’s risk of myopia increases with the number of parents who are nearsighted. In other words, if one parent is myopic, the child’s likelihood of developing myopia is roughly doubled compared to children whose parents are not myopic.

While genetic factors are very likely to influence the development of myopia, the significant increase in its prevalence over the years suggests that environmental factors—such as the amount of near work (like reading and screen use) and time spent outdoors—also play an important role.

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Symptoms of Myopia

When we look at nearby objects, our eyes need to adjust and focus the image so that it forms clearly on the retina, allowing us to see it sharply. Sometimes, the eyes are not able to achieve the exact focus required, causing the image to form slightly behind the retina and appear blurred. This is one of the typical signs of myopia.

When this happens, the body’s natural response is to try to bring the image into clearer focus by elongating the eyeball so the image no longer appears blurry. However, this mechanism is counterproductive in the long term, as it leads to further progression and worsening of myopia.

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How Is Myopia Treated?

Several approaches have been tried to treat myopia or slow its progression, and some have shown promising and effective results. Among the practical steps that can help in managing myopia are:

– Taking regular breaks from close-up tasks by looking at distant objects for short intervals  

– Spending more time outdoors  

Exposure to natural sunlight stimulates the release of dopamine in the retina, which helps inhibit excessive eye growth and may reduce the progression of myopia.

It is also important to have routine eye examinations at least every two years, or sooner if there are any concerns about vision. We recommend visiting the Eye Center at Al Batal Specialized Complex in Jeddah to receive comprehensive care and myopia management from the center’s skilled ophthalmologists, helping to control nearsightedness and prevent further progression.

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