Vision is crucial to overall wellness, but many individuals in Texas suffer from vision impairments that hinder their health and productivity. One common vision problem is myopia, an eye condition characterized by the inability to focus on distant objects due to abnormal eye growth.
According to a study published in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Texas is one of the states with the highest prevalence of myopia, particularly among children aged 5 to 17. Also known as nearsightedness, myopia can progress if left untreated, thus contributing to 6.21% of the Texas population who have difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Such findings underscore the need to understand the risk factors of myopia and explore treatment and management interventions. Additionally, interventions must be accessible to Texas residents to reduce the prevalence of myopia statewide and contribute to better eye health outcomes.
Risk factors of myopia
The onset of myopia in childhood is associated with a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Since nearsightedness tends to run in families, parents who themselves have myopia must watch for the signs of vision impairment in their children, including squinting, frequent blinking, complaints of blurry vision, eye strain, and headaches.
Beyond family history, research shows that excessive near-work, such as reading and using electronic devices, can contribute to the development and progression of myopia. Other studies have also found that not spending enough time outdoors can affect the proper growth and development of the eye’s internal structures, thus increasing the likelihood of childhood myopia.
If individuals are at risk of myopia development and progression, the following section highlights accessible eye care resources to manage the condition and preserve long-term vision.
Accessible resources for myopia management in Texas
Prescription glasses are the most common corrective tool for myopia, and they have become increasingly accessible for Texas residents through eyewear retailers that offer the option to order glasses online. Leading retailer Glasses USA not only offers prescription glasses from top brands like Arnette and Vogue Eyewear but also ensures a personalized fit for each customer.
Specifically, the retailer has the OPTHY app that measures the pupillary distance (PD), or the distance between the centers of both pupils. Through accurate PD measurements, individuals with myopia can get precise eyeglass fittings and prevent eye strain and fatigue, which typically result from a misaligned PD and prescription.
In addition to corrective eyewear, individuals with myopia must get their eyes checked regularly to monitor their prescription and prevent or delay the progression of the condition. In this case, the organization Prevent Blindness Texas has partnered with outreach programs to provide free or low-cost eye exams and/or eyewear to children and adults who cannot afford essential vision care services.
Under the organization’s eye care referral services, children can receive a comprehensive eye exam and corrective lenses from VSP Vision Care’s “Sight for Students” Program. Meanwhile, the strategic partnership with OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation’s “Healthy Eyes Eyeglass Program” benefits vision-impaired individuals who do not qualify for related social services.
While these services and outreach programs help expand access to essential vision care, myopia management also involves healthy lifestyle changes. Individuals who are at risk of or diagnosed with myopia can start by incorporating nutritious foods that promote eye health into their diets. These foods include leafy green vegetables, which are rich in vitamins A, C, and E to protect the eyes from diseases, and beef, which contains zinc for better processing of vitamin A in the retina.
Overall, local governments and health departments in Texas must increase public awareness of these services and lifestyle changes to influence eye health outcomes at the state level.