What are the common causes of myopia in daily life?

Myopia (nearsightedness) has a very high prevalence today. If you visit a school, you may find that over half the children in a class already wear myopic corrective lenses at an early age—posing significant challenges for their future daily life and careers. To prevent myopia, it is essential first to understand its underlying causes. So, what everyday factors commonly contribute to the development of myopia?

Common Everyday Causes of Myopia

The primary causes of myopia are congenital genetic factors and acquired improper use of the eyes. Improper eye use typically occurs during the sensitive period of visual development, leading to blurred or unclear vision. Myopia can be classified into two main types: axial myopia and refractive myopia. Axial myopia—the most common form—is characterized by elongation of the eyeball; each additional millimeter in axial length corresponds to approximately 300 diopters (D) of myopia progression. Clinically, myopia is further categorized as follows: mild myopia (<3.00 D), moderate myopia (3.00–6.00 D), high myopia (>6.00 D), and ultra-high myopia (>10.00 D). Treatment options for myopia include spectacles, orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lenses, and surgical interventions. Two principal surgical approaches exist: corneal laser ablation (e.g., LASIK, SMILE) and implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery. Importantly, while myopia treatment can improve visual function, it cannot fully “cure” the condition.

Myopia can be corrected surgically or with spectacles and contact lenses. Correction methods fall broadly into surgical and non-surgical categories. Patients should select the most appropriate option based on individual circumstances. Non-surgical correction involves externally adding concave lenses to adjust refractive power—primarily through prescription spectacles or contact lenses—without altering the eye’s intrinsic anatomy. Surgical correction, by contrast, modifies the eye’s natural refractive properties: either by reshaping the cornea (e.g., via laser ablation) or by altering lens accommodation (e.g., via ICL implantation).

We recommend patients avoid excessive near work, ensure adequate rest, refrain from staying up late, and limit prolonged screen time (e.g., smartphones) or reading. We hope this information proves helpful.