Progressive myopia and the scotopic light-gradient theory

An unseen, unyielding whisperer of blindness affects around 30% of the world’s population. That figure is expected to rise to 50% by 2050. Myopia’s relentless march poses a major health threat, and if steps are not taken to stop myopia turning into high myopia (ie requiring glasses with a prescription of minus five or stronger) then 10% of the world’s population will be at risk of blindness by 2050.¹

Blindness and visual impairment due to myopia

High myopia increases the risk of pathologic ocular changes such as cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and myopic macular degeneration (figures 1 a to d). Patients with myopic retinopathy in the USA, are on average registered legally blind, for 17 years (as opposed to five years for diabetes or age-related maculopathy).⁵