If You're Seeing this through Glasses or Contacts, Read On...

Have you ever wondered why it seems like everybody these days wears glasses or contacts? I'm in my late twenties (it feels strange typing that), and lately people have been surprised when I've mentioned that I don't have vision problems. It has come up a couple of times, and it turns out that it's reasonable to assume that I'm wearing contacts—because "nobody" has perfect vision these days!

I don't know how I got skipped over (patron saint of eyes, perhaps), but I consider myself blessed. I just read a fascinating post on my friend Joselyn's blog¹ reagarding the truth about myopia (nearsightedness). Think it's hereditary? Think again. There are a few unsung factors that contribute to myopia. Think processed foods, too much time indoors, and way too much computer time (whoops!) and other "near work", among other things. Her post makes me wonder if nearsightedness can be reversed by changing these habits for the better and doing some eye exercises. Or can we merely help the next generation? The last study she cites makes me think that myopia can be helped by a change in lifestyle.

One disturbing part of Joselyn's post is the role of the doctors. Opthamology is a profession, and an industry—what would happen if people knew that myopia was preventable? I normally wouldn't be so cynical, but unfortuntely this seems to be pattern in the modern medical model (just wait for my blog about the dental world). Even after studies have shown that "untreatable" maladies are preventable, curable, or manageable, this information frequently isn't given to the patient, and the "standard" treatment prevails. When confronted, the eye doctors Joselyn spoke with admitted to the fact that myopia isn't caused by heredity alone. But if we knew how to prevent it, who would buy all those glasses?