Myopia Development in Infants

1988 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Role of environment in childs development

Myopia Development in Infants

An impairment in vision can lead to a very challenging life. Many Americans suffer from abnormalities in their vision. They suffer with diseases such as glaucoma, hyperopia, and myopia. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is fairly prevalent in the United States of America. In fact, it is estimated that twenty-five percent of the population of the United States is nearsighted (Kolata, 1985). Myopia occurs when the resting eye becomes focused on distant objects. The lens of the eye must become thicker and the radius of curvature must be increased in order for the eye to look at nearby objects. In individuals with myopia, the eyes are excessively long. This causes the image to form in front of the retina as opposed to on it (Kolata, 1985). Myopia frequently results from excessive postnatal eye growth. Typically, it develops in the early school years; however, some cases do not develop until early adulthood (Quinn, Shin, Maguire, & Stone, 1999).

Myopia is a very serious disease that can have a tremendous effect on the life of a child. Approximately 5.6% of blindness among American school children can be attributed to myopia. Furthermore, it predisposes individuals to retinal detachment, retinal degeneration, and glaucoma (Quinn et. al., 1999).

The cause of myopia has not yet been determined. However, children of parents with myopia tend to develop myopia more frequently than children with nonmyopic parents (Young et.al., 1998a). The two highest factors that contribute to myopia are myopic parents and doing "near work". Other indications for the development of myopia include childhood illnesses, low birth weight, and nearsighted siblings (Review of Optometry, 1999).

Since a definite cause for myopia has not been determined, researches are divided as to whether the disease is caused by genetic factors or environmental factors. The debate for the genetic theory begins with the thought that myopia may be due to a dominant gene that is inherited by the child from the parent (Young et.al., 1998a). There is evidence to suggest that genetic heterogeneity attributes to high myopia ( Young et.al., 1998b). This implies that the child who inherits diversified genes from his or her parents is more likely to develop myopia. However, it is also thought that myopia may be caused by influences from the nervous system that are not normal and have a negative impact on the developing eye. Thus, it may, as well, be genetically determined (Kolata, 1985). The basis for the genetic theory is supported by the fact that myopia tends to run in families.

Show More
Related

  • Why does Insurance Companies Do not Cover Vision Therapy

    1792 Words  | 4 Pages

    Optometrists have accepted vision therapy, which is a medical treatment for optical muscle disabilities, as a feasible treatment used for eye related problems; claiming the treatment can strengthen vision and give the patient the opportunity to understand visuals quicker and clearer (Press). Vision therapy originated in the 1950s and over the past 25 years, has gained popularity, mainly because of new technological innovations in the field of treatment. Generally, vision therapy is prescribed as a measure mainly for people between the ages of 3 and 18. With the results from a comprehensive series of eye tests, the optometrist can work with the patient using special instruments—prisms, filters, occluders, and eye lenses—and strengthen the eye muscles, thus improving sight. According to optometrists in favor of vision therapy, these methods of treatment using these instruments function as safer routes to repair eye disabilities. Although vision therapy can yield favorable results, the practice as a treatment for innate eye disabilities has been in hot debate lately; as it can exceed $8000 and insurance companies do not cover the treatment. For decades, insurance companies have refused to accept vision therapy as a legitimate method for repairing eyesight (Boink). Concomitant with lack of insurance, the cost for a full treatment can exceed $8000, and doctors cannot guarantee a successful outcome. Recently, parents of children with eye related disabilities, such as amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (cross-eye), and doctors have attempted to cooperate with public schools to allow families access to school-funded doctors to practice vision therapy. With a tight budget, most schools cannot afford to supply vision therapy, and a...

    Read More

  • Understanding Glaucoma

    1215 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are several factors that can increase the risk for developing glaucoma. People over age of 60 and for African-American the risk begins to increase after age of 40. Race is also a factor in developing glaucoma. African Americans are more likely to get glaucoma than Caucasians, and they are also more likely to s...

    Read More

  • Women In Othello

    1216 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the novel Othello, written by William Shakespeare, there are a variety of ways in which women are portrayed. There are strong willed women such as Emilia, who stands up to the men, especially to her husband. If he is wrong she would openly admit that he is incorrect. There are also women who are thought to be a possession as well as extremely submissive to their husbands such as Desdemona. She is the type of woman that will obey her husband to the day she dies. Desdemona believes that her husband is always right and he will never do anything that will lead her into the wrong direction. Many of the women in this time thought the same way. They are viewed as house workers, cooks, and teachers to the children. In addition to those qualities women obtain, having no authority in marriages is also added to the list. In this novel, there is judgment against women because they are “unequal” to men. They are not allowed to do the same as men for the reason that they do not possess the same qualities as men. Men were considered to be superior to women. Women were treated as their “slaves.” In contrast, today’s time women now have power. They have the right to vote, run for office, and even work outside their homes. Women now play the part as the male and female figure in the households. They are considered independent women, not relying on a male figure. Even if they are married now, they do not listen to everything that their husbands tell them to do. It states in the Bible that a male figure is the head of the households; however women today have strayed away from that view that they had back then. They want to be the dominate figure. Times have really changed from the past to the present. W...

    Read More

  • New Freedom Vs. New Nationalism

    730 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Theodore Roosevelt's opinion, trusts are inevitable. As said in his 1910 "New Nationalism" speech, "There can be no effective control of corporation while their political activity remains. To put an end it will be neither a short nor an easy task, but it can be done". Woodrow Wilson had a somewhat different view on how trusts react in our society. He believes that trusts are natural but not inevitable. Wilson states in his speech in 1912 that trusts are manmade and believes they're intolerable. "I am not willing to be under the patronage of the trusts, no matter how providential a government presides over the process of their control of my life", Wilson exclaims during a campaign speech. He didn't care how much governmental control they were under and he would like to do anything in his power to stop them completely from taking over the industries.

    Read More

  • The Dilemma of Macular Degeneration

    2286 Words  | 5 Pages

    The high percentages of individuals who endure this impairment justifies and practically demands future research because the causes are not fully understood. The need for future research can be better emphasized if those with normal vision try to empathize with victims of macular degeneration. One can only imagine how frustrating it must be to receive sensatrions only in the periphery of the retina. Because the macula encompassed the cone rich fovea, which is used to focus on objects, the fovea degenerates as well. This occurence inables individuals to interpret the sensations they experience. Reading, ...

    Read More

  • Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

    1542 Words  | 4 Pages

    Much in the same way, Angela’s twin brothers, Pablo and Pedro Vicario accepted it as their moral duty to kill the man who supposedly stole Angela’s virginity, Santiago Nasar. In reference to their planned act of murder, one of the twins said, “’There’s no way out of this... It’s as if it already happened,’” (P. 61, Garcia). The twins viewed killing Santiago as a one way street because the murder was the only option...

    Read More

  • Understanding and Treating Myopia

    1195 Words  | 3 Pages

    Myopia is a condition in which visual images come into focus in front of the retina of the eye. This condition causes objects at a distance to appear blurry, while objects nearby are seen clearly. If not severe, myopia can be treated with contacts or glasses. Other treatments for myopia include photoreactive keratectomy (PRK), LASIK, and orthokeratology. Degenerative myopia is a quick progression of myopia and leads to complete loss of vision. The treatment for degenerative myopia is a combination of medication and laser surgery.

    Read More

  • Myopia Argumentative Essay

    918 Words  | 2 Pages

    As humans age, they frequently develop a condition known as presbyopia. This condition decreases the person's ability to focus sharply on those object which are nearby and is the result of the lens of the eye hardening. In addition, astigmatism requires a person wear prescription eyeglasses and/or contact lenses. Astigmatism arises when the curvature of the eye is irregular. The eye is normally shaped liked a soccer ball or basketball. With astigmatism, it takes on a more oval shape and resembles a football. Due to the irregular curvature, the eye processes light differently and leads to blurred vision. The degree of blurriness is determined by the degree of

    Read More

  • Tragic Role Of Women In Othello

    1011 Words  | 3 Pages

    In order to analyse Shakespeare’s women, one must be aware of the female situation in both the playwright's own time period, and in the period in which his play was written. The ladies in Othello suggest that they have “internalised society's’ expectations of them, and apart from in moment of private conversation, behave as men expect, believing this to be ‘natural’” (. Emilia’s (and Desdemona’s) behaviour towards men for the most part of the play is an example of this behavior considered normal at the time. This conformity to social norms can be perceived as weaknes...

    Read More

  • Myopia

    791 Words  | 2 Pages

    People who are highly myopic have increased chances of developing glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachments, which are leading causes of blindness. It is essential to visit your optometry every year to be informed about the health of your eyes.

    Read More

  • The Disease Retinoblastoma

    552 Words  | 2 Pages

    There's a disease that lurks among young children even to this day. It's a direct result of a mutation in the genes that could result in the removal of the eye. Both boys and girls are affected, and one in every fifteen to thirty thousand babies is infected every year (Ambramson, Ch1). This eye corrupting, chromosomal abnormality shows up in about 300-350 new cases each year. It is called retinoblastoma.

    Read More

  • Role Of Death In Chronicle Of A Death Foretold

    1441 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although Santiago Nasar is murdered at the hands of the Vicario brothers, the entire town shares a role in his death. On the morning that Santiago Nasar is to be killed, Pablo and Pedro Vicario tell everyone they see that they are going to "cut his

    Read More

  • Women In Othello Essay

    886 Words  | 2 Pages

    All through history, the role of women and their place in the general public has tremendously changed. William Shakespeare’s Othello was established during a time period where the role of women and their collective value were downgraded in the Venetian and Elizabethan era. During the Venetian era women were dominated by their sexual orientation. The Venetian era had a patriarchal society. In a patriarchal society, the father is the head of the household and men have authority over women and children. During the Elizabethan era the conduct toward women was vicious. Women were considered second class citizens. Males only consider women as possession, who is obligated to remain submissive and meek. Additionally, women are expected to be quiet, obedient to male figures, and chaste. Women were either considered a good wife or a whore. There are only three women in Othello; Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca. Desdemona is the passive wife of Othello who has a quite idealistic take on life and marriage. Emilia is the cynical, perceptive women who seem to have a bitter take on her marriage to Iago. Bianca is portrayed as the whore of the play, and she has relations with Cassio. Although, each woman varies in roles and personality, they all had a common trait; they lived in a patriarchal society and suffered together. Each of them live in a society where it was ideal to think women were psychologically and physiologically inferior to men, however in reality each of them knew their role in society.

    Read More

  • Women: The Role Of Women In Shakespeare's Othello

    1877 Words  | 4 Pages

    Statement of intent: The role of women in William Shakespeare’s play Othello is portrayed through the behaviors and actions of Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca. William Shakespeare integrates his Elizabethan society to create the patriarchal Venetian society in the play. Women in his society were seen as inferior to the men. The three women play a significant role in different social stratification. How are women submissive, possessions, bold, and degraded to sex objects and whores? How have they displayed unconventional acts and boldness?

    Read More

  • The Role Of Women In William Shakespeare's Othello

    1023 Words  | 3 Pages

    Forced by predominant men in Elizabethan society, women conform to a facade based on an socioeconomic status rather than character. As expected, women in William Shakespeare’s Othello demonstrate obedience in their behavior in accordance with a man’s expectations. Throughout this tragic play the once formidable Othello, becomes crazed with jealousy based on his ensign 's puppet master. Determined to murder his wife, Desdemona, because of her alleged infidelity, Othello fights against being a cuckold. Critical in Venetian society, Desdemona’s reputation no where compares to her husband’s reputation, which demonstrates a woman’s status as subordinate to men including servants and paramours. William Shakespeare reveals the influential males in a woman 's life govern the way the world

    Read More

More about Myopia Development in Infants

Open Document