Vision, the most dominating of our senses, is essential at every stage of our life in a world constructed on the ability to see. The baby relies on vision to recognize and bond with its mother; the toddler relies on vision to master balance and learn to walk; the schoolboy relies on vision to walk to school, read, and study; the young woman relies on vision to engage in the workforce; and the elderly lady relies on vision to retain her independence.
But as myopia gradually takes hold and deepens, life becomes an intricate maze of challenges for the afflicted individuals.
First, it's the constant squinting, the subtle furrowing of the brow as they strain to decipher distant words or objects.
Next, glasses become their loyal companions, perched precariously on the bridge of their nose, a constant reminder of their visual limitations.
Social interactions become a tightrope act, with the inability to recognize faces from afar leading to awkward encounters.
Hobbies and pastimes once enjoyed with ease now require extra effort.
M y o p i a i s r u i n i n g t h e i r l i v e s . . .
Globally, the prevalence of myopia is almost 2.6 billion individuals (36.8% of the global population) and the prevalence is estimated to increase to 4.76 billion individuals (49.8% of the global population) for myopia and almost 1 billion individuals (9.8% of the global population) for high myopia by 2050 [1].
One of the most striking features of myopia is the high prevalence of myopia in East and Southeast Asia (47.0%), which is much higher than that in Central Europe (27.1%), Central Asia (17.0%) and Central Africa (7.0%) [2].
Prevalence of myopia in each GBD region 2000 – 2050
Prevalence of high myopia in young adults.
People with myopia not only have blurry vision, but their eyes are also more prone to dryness and weariness. Long-term use of glasses is required after nearsightedness, which can be very inconvenient in both job and daily life. Additionally, myopic patients are more likely to develop eye diseases like glaucoma and cataracts, and the higher the degree of myopia, the more complications there are. In extreme circumstances, it can also result in issues like blindness and ocular atrophy.
In this project, we want to limit the development of myopia by encapsulating created microorganisms in vesicles inserted in contact lenses! Through this endeavor, we really intend to deliver novel treatments for myopia as well as a fresh way to treating other eye illnesses.
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