Myopia or nearsightedness is a visual impairment that has affected over 40% of Americans. It makes it so objects that are far away appear to be blurry and hard to see, whereas objects up close are clear. .
Unfortunately, there is no way for myopia to be reversed as it is not an illness or disease but concerns the shape of your eye. However, there are plenty of treatment and management options to help slow the effects of the condition.
At Eye Care Plus, our team of experienced optometrists can provide you with helpful information and treatment plans to manage your symptoms. Please book your consultation today.
Surgical Treatment for Myopia
One of the most permanent methods for treating myopia is laser eye surgery. There exist several refractive surgeries that can be performed to correct your vision. Here are a few laser eye surgeries that could be performed by an ophthalmologist:
Laser-assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
LASIK eye surgery involves your surgeon performing a corneal flap to expose the middle layer of your cornea. From there, the surgeon will use a laser to reshape the cornea and correct the refractive error. LASIK is one of the more popular and commonly performed laser eye surgeries.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
PRK differs from LASIK as it does not require a corneal flap but involves removing the epithelium and using a laser to reshape the cornea and fix the refractive error. Like LASIK, the often-quick healing time makes it an attractive option for people looking to gain clear vision.
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)
SMILE surgery involves removing some of the corneal thickness through a small incision without needing a corneal flap or removal of the epithelium. Therefore, it can have a quick healing time with clearer vision after only a few days.
Myopia Management Options
Refractive surgery is not for everyone, and there are many ways to manage your symptoms and slow myopia progression without the need for laser eye surgery. Here are a few of those options:
Atropine
Atropine is commonly used by optometrists to dilate the pupil during an examination and has minimal side effects or risks for children and adults. Therefore, low doses of Atropine have been determined as an effective approach to slowing the progression of myopia.
Prescription Glasses & Contact Lenses
The most common option for people with myopia is to pick up a pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses that can be worn during activities that require it. For example, some people will only need their glasses for driving or reading, and others might need to wear them 24/7.
Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology is a form of corneal therapy that uses rigid contact lenses to gradually reshape your cornea and correct the refractive issue without needing laser eye surgery. The contact lenses are typically worn overnight and can be removed during the day.
Outdoor Exposure
Adolescents, young adults, and children can benefit from spending more time outside and away from computer or phone screens, as it can lower the risk of developing nearsightedness in the future.
What is Myopia?
Myopia or nearsightedness is a refractive issue that makes it difficult for people to see objects that are far away. It stems from the shape of the eye, and if your eye is curved or shaped irregularly, it can be difficult for light to reach the retina effectively.
Symptoms of Myopia
Myopia can develop in children and adults, so it is important to get an eye exam regularly to check for any changes in your vision. Here are some of the common symptoms of myopia:
- Headaches
- Eye Strain
- Squinting or blinking repeatedly
- Blurry vision when looking at things that are far away
- Rubbing your eyes often
High Myopia
High myopia is generally characterized as a refractive error of 6 diopters or greater. People with high myopia will likely need to wear glasses or contact lenses daily. Laser eye surgery is sometimes possible, so book a consultation and discuss your options.
Diagnosis for Myopia
An eye exam is commonly performed to determine if you are experiencing myopia. Here are some of the tests that may be conducted:
- A test of your eye movement
- A test evaluating your eye’s response to light
- A test of your eye’s pressure
- An evaluation of your cornea, pupil, lens, and eyelids
What Causes Myopia?
Myopia is caused by the eyeball growing too long and affecting how light is supposed to reach the retina. Therefore, it typically develops during childhood and can progress until early adulthood or longer in some cases.
Regular eye exams will allow your eye care specialist to identify myopia early on if it becomes present and start taking steps to slow the progression.
Book a ConsultationAt Eye Care Plus, our team of experienced optometrists are happy to help you learn more about myopia and the steps you can take to manage your symptoms and improve your vision. Please book your consultation today!
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