Myopia. Optics, Clinical Presentation and Management

Myopia is a common ocular condition affecting approximately 1.6 billion people worldwide. An increasing trend of myopia has been observed throughout the world and the prevalence of myopia is expected to increase to 2.5 billion by the year 2020. This book focuses on definition, mechanisms, optics, refraction, clinical presentation, complications and management of myopia in regards of recent advances. Myopia (nearsightedness) is a refractive error (ametropia) that occurs when parallel rays of light entering the non-accommodating eye are not focused on the retina. As a result, images of distant objects are focused in front of the retina and thus appear blurred. Myopia is the most common eyesight problem in the world and is often mild and there are no serious problems. However, it may sometimes lead to blindness. Myopia can be corrected with spherical lenses, contact lenses or with refractive surgery. The book gives an overview of myopia from definition, etiology to surgical treatment. Contents are based on recent findings published in the medical literature and reflect the most advanced achievements in current clinical and experimental research on myopia. This book presents relevant information that students, optometrists, orthoptists, ophthalmologists as well as scientists involved in clinical and basic research on myopia need to know about this important topic.