{"id":20050,"date":"2021-12-04T19:06:55","date_gmt":"2021-12-04T19:06:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20050"},"modified":"2022-05-18T05:54:57","modified_gmt":"2022-05-18T05:54:57","slug":"does-myopia-progression-affect-adults","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-myopia-management\/does-myopia-progression-affect-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Myopia Progression Affect Adults?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Recent research has shown that over 20% of adults experience increasing myopia.<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Although three-quarters of adults with myopia have stable vision by age 18, almost one-quarter continue to progress.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions\/what-is-myopia\/why-is-my-childs-myopia-worsening\/\">Myopia progression<\/a> is a significant increase in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions\/what-is-myopia\/\">nearsightedness<\/a> that continues to worsen each year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Worsening myopia has become a growing concern among eye care professionals due to its correlation to an increased risk of serious eye diseases.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Some of these diseases include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/eye-conditions\/glaucoma-guide\/glaucoma\/\">Glaucoma<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/eye-conditions\/guide-to-cataracts\/cataracts\/\">Cataracts<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/guide-to-retinal-diseases\/retinal-detachment\/\">Retinal detachment<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/eye-conditions\/macular-degeneration-guide\/macular-degeneration\/\">Myopic macular degeneration<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Does myopia progression affect adults?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Yes.<\/p>\n<p>While in the past, myopia was thought to stabilize as the eye reaches its adult size (around age 20), recent research shows that myopia can in fact progress into adulthood.<\/p>\n<p>A study was published in <i>Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science 43:2110-3 <\/i><i>(2002)<\/i> to determine the percentage of myopia progression among 815 adults ages 20-40 years, following a five year waiting period.<\/p>\n<p><b>After five years, researchers found that 21 percent of the participants showed progressive myopia of at least -1.00D<\/b>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Ages 20-25 years: about 50% progressed by at least -0.75D<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Ages 35-40 years: around 25% progressed by at least -0.75D<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In addition, some adults experience \u2018adult onset\u2019 of myopia progression, in which their once stabilized distance vision begins to worsen as they age.<\/p>\n<p>While the primary cause of adult myopia progression is unclear, many eye doctors believe that an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/guide-to-blurry-vision-and-headaches\/digital-eye-strain\/\">increase in digital device usage<\/a> may be a major contributing factor.<\/p>\n<p>Most adults spend at least 8.5 hours each day on a digital device, placing excessive stress on the eyes\u2019 focusing muscles. This not only leads to headaches and eyestrain, it can also cause myopia progression.<\/p>\n<p><b>SEE RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-myopia-management\/why-do-adults-choose-ortho-k\/\">Why Do Adults Choose Ortho-K?<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">Contact an eye doctor near you<\/a> if your myopia is worsening.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\t<div class=\"practice-search-widget\">\n\t\t<h3>Find an eye doctor near you<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t<form class=\"practice-search-form practice-search-form-widget\" action=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/results\/\" method=\"get\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"page\" class=\"practice-search-page\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_latitude\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_longitude\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"address\" class=\"practice-search-address\" placeholder=\"City, Surburb or Address\" value=\"\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<button type=\"submit\" class=\"practice-search-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.6796 0.130005C9.15708 0.130059 7.66615 0.5646 6.38198 1.38258C5.09781 2.20057 4.07373 3.36803 3.43004 4.74783C2.78634 6.12763 2.54976 7.66246 2.74808 9.17205C2.9464 10.6816 3.57139 12.1033 4.54964 13.27L0.729639 17.08C0.6364 17.1732 0.562439 17.2839 0.511979 17.4058C0.461519 17.5276 0.435547 17.6581 0.435547 17.79C0.435547 17.9219 0.461519 18.0524 0.511979 18.1743C0.562439 18.2961 0.6364 18.4068 0.729639 18.5C0.917942 18.6883 1.17334 18.7941 1.43964 18.7941C1.5715 18.7941 1.70207 18.7681 1.82389 18.7177C1.94571 18.6672 2.0564 18.5932 2.14964 18.5L5.99964 14.62C7.35406 15.6038 8.98566 16.1324 10.6596 16.13C12.7814 16.13 14.8162 15.2871 16.3165 13.7869C17.8168 12.2866 18.6596 10.2517 18.6596 8.13C18.6596 6.00827 17.8168 3.97344 16.3165 2.47315C14.8162 0.97286 12.7814 0.130005 10.6596 0.130005H10.6796ZM10.6796 14.13C9.49295 14.13 8.33291 13.7781 7.34622 13.1188C6.35952 12.4595 5.59049 11.5225 5.13636 10.4261C4.68224 9.32975 4.56342 8.12335 4.79493 6.95946C5.02644 5.79558 5.59788 4.72648 6.437 3.88736C7.27611 3.04825 8.34521 2.4768 9.5091 2.24529C10.673 2.01378 11.8794 2.1326 12.9757 2.58673C14.0721 3.04085 15.0092 3.80989 15.6685 4.79658C16.3277 5.78328 16.6796 6.94332 16.6796 8.13C16.6796 9.7213 16.0475 11.2474 14.9223 12.3726C13.7971 13.4979 12.2709 14.13 10.6796 14.13Z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"practice-search-use-my-location\">\n\t\t\tSearch near me\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\n\t<\/form>\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<h2><b>What is myopia management?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions\/what-is-myopia-management\/myopia-management-faqs\/\">Myopia management<\/a> is a customized program that has been shown to reduce the rate of myopia progression, or halt it completely, using any of the following treatments:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/multifocal-eyeglasses-or-contact-lenses\/\">Multifocal eyeglasses or contact lenses<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-myopia-management\/ortho-k-top-10-faqs\/\">Orthokeratology (ortho-k lenses)<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-myopia-management\/myopia-management\/myopia-management-does-atropine-work\/\">Atropine eye drops<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>According to research, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-myopia-management\/\">myopia management<\/a> can reduce the rate of myopia progression by up to 78 percent!<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b>Is myopia management effective for adults?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><i>Yes.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>The earlier you begin a myopia management program, the more effective it will be \u2014 so it is best to start when you first notice signs of myopia progression.<\/p>\n<p>However, research shows that management of adult myopia progression can be effective as well, especially when combined with a reduction of screen time and near vision activities.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Which myopia management strategies are most effective for adults?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Multifocal glasses or contact lenses and orthokeratology are most effective when it comes to controlling adult myopia progression.<\/p>\n<p>Multifocal lenses can help to reduce eye strain when near work and screen time cannot be avoided. These lenses take the strain off of the focusing muscles for near vision and provide a comfortable transition to clear distance vision.<\/p>\n<p>Ortho-k lenses are beneficial for those who prefer to be eyewear-free during the day. These specialized contact lenses gently reshape your cornea while you sleep, so you can enjoy clear vision all day long.<\/p>\n<p><b>LEARN MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-myopia-management\/\">Guide to Myopia Management<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>If you are experiencing myopia progression, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">speak with an eye doctor near you<\/a> about myopia management to find out if it is right for you.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i>Myopia progression can continue into adulthood and has been linked to an increased risk of sight-threatening diseases.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>Myopia management is a treatment program that can help to reduce myopia progression to preserve your ocular health.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recent research has shown that over 20% of adults experience increasing myopia. Although three-quarters of adults with myopia have stable vision by age 18, almost<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1206,"featured_media":20051,"parent":12480,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-article.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20050","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Does Myopia Progression Affect Adults? - Optometrists.org<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-myopia-management\/does-myopia-progression-affect-adults\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Does Myopia Progression Affect Adults? - Optometrists.org\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Recent research has shown that over 20% of adults experience increasing myopia. 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