Excerpt for Review, by Ophthalmologist D. I. Flitcroft.

British Journal of Ophthalmology 1998;82:210-211; doi:10.1136/bjo.
82.3.210
Copyright © 1998 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
Br J Ophthalmol 1998;82:210-211 ( March )
Commentary

Ophthalmologists should consider the causes of myopia and not simply
treat its consequences

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Myopia has been undergoing a major re-evaluation in recent years both
by ophthalmologists and basic scientists, though for different
reasons.

For ophthalmologists the rise of refractive surgery in the past decade
has seen myopia changing from a condition requiring optical correction
to one that can be managed surgically with the aid of the excimer
laser and other techniques.

For basic scientists interested in the control of eye growth, the past
decade has been equally revolutionary with a huge increase in the
understanding of mechanisms by which eye growth is regulated by the
quality of the retinal image.

This research offers insights into why myopia develops in humans and
offers clinicians a novel perspective from which to approach the
management of myopia.

Rather than attempting to alter corneal curvature to "treat" myopia,
it may be possible to prevent or "cure" myopia by directly
manipulating the growth mechanisms of the eye.

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I would add, by PREVENTIVE methods suggested in Dr. Flitcroft's
excellent paper on the subject.

Perhaps the better idea would be to explain to the person (by way of
Soon's graph), that entry into a negative STATE CAN BE PREVENTED, and
that is would be wise to begin to understand Dr. Flitcroft's second-
opinion on the subject.

Enjoy,