Prevention

Although nearsightedness (myopia) is easily treated, it cannot be prevented, nor can you keep it from getting worse when you have it. It often gets worse, sometimes rapidly, until the late teens or early 20s, when it usually stabilizes. Nearsightedness does not improve as you get older.

Many people believe that too much close work, such as reading or sitting too close to the television, causes nearsightedness. But there was little evidence to support this belief. However, one study suggested that people in professions that involve extensive reading have higher degrees of nearsightedness.²

Special diets, eye exercises, and medicines will not treat or cure nearsightedness.