The cause of myopia development and progression: Theory, evidence, and treatment

I review the key findings and our current knowledge of the cause of myopia, making the connections among the reliable observations on myopia development and theory to arrive at a summary of what we know about myopia, the proposed prevailing theory, and applicable action. Myopia is reaching epidemic proportions. It is estimated that half of the world's population will be myopic by 2050 unless new strategies to fight myopia are developed. Our high-level mathematical description of myopia is translated into clinical applications involving effective treatment and prevention. A regulating mechanism controlling the refraction of the eye is intimately related to myopia. The approach at hand is to review our knowledge about emmetropization, connecting myopia and emmetropization feedback theory to unveil the cause of myopia. Many observations discussed here test the validity of feedback theory positively. The cause of human myopia fits perfectly with the idea that emmetropization, in particular its feedback theory implementation, is the controlling mechanism behind myopia. They include near work, atropine, lenses, defocus, and outdoor versus indoor activities. The key findings in myopia research point the same way: myopia is the result of corrective lenses interfering with emmetropization. We have enough knowledge to answer the question of whether myopia can be reversed or prevented. There is no need to have mathematical skills to apply theory to real cases. It is enough to know the predictions of the feedback theory of emmetropization. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This article reviews the key findings and current knowledge of the cause of myopia and proposes a prevailing theory and applicable action. Myopia has become an epidemic, with an estimated half of the world's population projected to be myopic by 2050 unless new strategies are developed. The article explores the connection between myopia development and the feedback theory of emmetropization, discussing observed factors such as near work, corrective lenses, and outdoor activities. The key findings suggest that myopia is the result of corrective lenses interfering with emmetropization. Sufficient knowledge exists to answer the question of whether myopia can be reversed or prevented.