What Increases Your Risk

Asians and people who have a family history of nearsightedness are at increased risk for nearsightedness. Women have a greater risk for high myopia, or severe nearsightedness, than men do.

Premature babies, especially babies who have retinopathy of prematurity, are more likely to develop nearsightedness. A number of inherited eye and other diseases increase the risk of nearsightedness.

Research has indicated a link between close work, such as reading, and the development and progression of nearsightedness. One study showed that people in professions that involve extensive reading have higher degrees of nearsightedness. ²