Myopia historical perspective
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Saumya Easaw, M.B.B.S.[3]
Historical Perspective
Because in the most common, “simple” myopia, the eye length is too long, any etiologic explanation must account for such axial elongation. To date, no single [[theory] ]has been able to satisfactorily explain this elongation.
- In the early 1900s, William Bates controversially asserted that myopia, as with all refractive errors, resulted from a particular type of “eyestrain” that was itself a result of “mental strain”.[1] He stated that the shape of the eyeball responded instantaneously to the action of the extraocular muscles upon it[2] and that myopia was produced due to contraction of the inferior oblique and superior oblique muscles which lengthened the eye.[3] According to Bates, myopia was associated with a “strain” to see distance objects rather than near work.[4] Bates theories were rejected by mainstream ophthalmologists of his time and remain so today. [5][6]
- In the mid-1900s, mainstream ophthalmologists and optometrists believed myopia to be primarily hereditary; the influence of near work in its development seemed “incidental” and the increased prevalence of the condition with increasing age was viewed as a “statistical curiosity”[7]
- Among mainstream researchers and eye care professionals, myopia is now thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Myopia as Metaphor
The terms myopia and myopic have also been used metaphorically to refer to cognitive thinking and decision making that is narrow sighted or lacking in concern for long-term consequence.
References
- ↑ “Chapter X: Strain.”
- ↑ “Chapter VII: The Variability of the Refraction of the Eye.”
- ↑ Chapter IV : The Truth about Accommodation as Demonstrated by Experiments on the Eye Muscles of Fish, Cats, Dogs, Rabbits and Other Animals.”
- ↑ “Chapter I: Introductory.”
- ↑ Robyn E. Bradley (September 23, 2003). “ADVOCATES SEE ONLY BENEFITS FROM EYE EXERCISES” (PDF). The Boston Globe (MA).
- ↑ Rawstron JA, Burley CD, Elder MJ (2005). “A systematic review of the applicability and efficacy of eye exercises”. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 42 (2): 82–8.
- ↑ Mutti D. “Can We Conquer Myopia?” Review of Optomery. Optometric Study Center: April, 2001.
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