Can myopia be prevented?

No: There is no known way to prevent myopia. It is familial in many cases. However, it is believed that a person who spends a lot of time looking at objects (tv screens, computer screens, books, etc.) at close distances puts pressure on his eyeballs due to the actions of the eye muscles during close focusing, thus changing the shape of the eyeballs and causing myopia. This belief has not been proven.

Not so far: Much work has been done to try and modify myopia including certain topical drops, some forms of surgery, bifocals at a young age and various optical additions. So far there is minimal to no change noted. Research is ongoing to determine environmental, structural and genetic factors modifying eye development, but this is laboratory information only at this date.