Myopia
Scientific
what is the fundamental science which this technology depends?
The best option to improve scientific research would be LASEK. Since LASEK is laser eye surgery it would be the best option for adults. Also, laser eye surgery has a 96% success rate, and patients have achieved 20/20 vision again.
There would be no technology involved as this research would need to be proven by taking tests of the children eyes, after would many times they've spent outside versus inside.
Will the decision promote basic science research?
Yes it will, because as myopia mainly affects children, basic science research would to have a child, be outdoors for almost 80 minutes and see if that reduces the risk of having myopia, and have a child stay inside doing homework, and see what are their chances of have increased their chances of having myopia.
What scientific knowledge is needed to deal with it?
The way myopia could be prevented is we get the children outside an hour and a half could reduce the chances of a child get myopia by 23% to almost 50%
Does it lead to new technology developments?
Myopia does not lead to new technology, as there are numerous technologies that already help with eyesight problems.
Technology Based Non-Surgical
2. Non-surgical cataract therapy
1. Gentle Vision retainer shaping system
Technology Based Surgical
5. RK
4. Epi-LASEK
3. RLE
2. LASEK
1. PRK
Device Based Technology
6. Stem Cells
5. Gene Therapy for vision loss
4. Apps for Blind
3. Smartphone eye exam
2. Printing new eye
1. Corneal Inlay
Society
What effects will it have on lifestyle and living conditions?
Myopia effects on a child during school would be
not able to see the board and also participate in after-school activities. Adults could fail to see road signs while driving and that is a safety concern. Sometimes people only may need corrective lenses to do a certain activity, while others would need to wear them all the time.
What cultures/ethnic groups could be affected?
The ethnic group that is affected the most is South Asians
which is then followed by Caribbeans and European children.
Does it affect people in society?
Myopia commonly affects people in childhood.
Myopia is corrected by wearing the correct lenses or contact lenses, and to maintain good vision anyone affected by myopia would need to attend regular eye examinations.
Personal
How does it affect you in the long term?
I would believe that myopia would affect me and my family is the long term, because as my parents get older their vision will start to wear down, even now my mom needs help seeing even though she does wear glasses. My dad did get laser eye surgery but he still uses glasses for reading.
How does it affect you in the short term?
Myopia does not affect me at all. Out of my entire family I am the only one that has perfect 20/20 vision.
Economic
How will it affect the cultural, ethnic, and/or economic divide?
Is it desirable or undesirable on any of these scales: global, country, region, company, neighbors, people in general?
People
It should be desirable as people with myopia, are just trying to see. And, they have vision after they start wearing corrective lenses.
Neighbors
People with myopia are just trying to see, and that's if they are wear corrective lenses.
Company
It depends on what company you are working for - Or in general what job field they are doing. Many jobs are available for people with myopia.
Region
There is no specific region for myopia.
Country
Also another country that is affected the most is Canada with children whose ethnicity is Chinese. The rates being 22% at age 6, and 64% at age 12.
The country that is most affect by myopia is China as 90% of their students are affected by the myopia epidemic. This is due to the fact that they spend a lot of time inside and also because of the pollution.
Global
Over 80 million children around the world are affected by myopia. The cost is an annual of $268 billion worldwide. Asia would have to be where it is desired most as Scientists say Asian children spend most of their time inside.
What is the impact on employment?
Normally people get myopia when they are children and this is because they do a lot of near-work and every week with an additional hour of doing near-work raises the chances of having myopia by 2%
Having myopia does not have an impact on employment as there are numerous of jobs that are available.
Environment
How does it affect our environment in long term?
Myopia had affected the world's population by 28% in 2010 and it is predicted that it is going to be 32% by 2020, and then by 2050 it'll be close to almost 50%. Half of the world's population will be affected with myopia epidemic by 2050.
How does it affect our environment in short term?
In short term the environment could cause the increasing chances for a child to obtain myopia. (Focusing on near-objects that are in their environment.
Legal and Ethical
What are related ethnically issues?
Glasses
You can not buy glasses without any form of prescription. It must be provided, so you could get the proper corrected lenses you need.
Purchasing eye glasses is not illegal, but doctors do recommend that you don't as it could lead to eyestrain, double vision, headaches, etc. All due to that the glasses were manufactured.
Driving
If driving with uncorrected eye vision it could lead to a huge penalty fine.
Every driver must have a wide-field of view.
You must be able to see all road signs, licenses plate, etc from a 20 meter distance.
