Myopia Management
Myopia, otherwise known as nearsightedness, is a condition which causes objects to appear blurry at a distance, while generally closer objects are much clearer to see. Myopia occurs when the shape of the eye is essentially too long proportionally, so the distance between the cornea and the retina is further than it should be. This means when the light enters the eye, it is focused before it reaches the retina, which causes blurred vision. It can also be due to the shape of the cornea or the thickness of the lens inside the eye.
Myopia is one of the most common vision problems worldwide, affecting almost 30% of the American population, and its incidence is increasing rapidly.
Symptoms and Signs of Myopia
People with myopia will be able to see things up close quite clearly, but struggle to perform tasks that require distance vision, such as driving or watching. It is also common for people with diagnosed myopia to experience headaches, eyestrain or eye fatigue when trying to focus on objects that are far away.
Left unmanaged, Myopia can lead to serious sight-threatening eye disease such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, and cataract.
Diagnosis of Myopia
A routine eye exam can diagnose near-sightedness. Our specialists will determine the visual acuity of the eye.
Myopia Treatment
There are several treatments that can slow its progression and even halt it completely.
Most often, the appropriate corrective action for Myopia involves wearing prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Some adults with Myopia have laser surgery to correct it – LASIL and PRK are bladeless procedures which can correct Myopia by reshaping the cornea with a laser, giving optimal results for distance vision.
Myopia Management
While there’s no cure for Myopia, there are some treatments which may slow down its progression in children and young teens. This is called Myopia Management.
Myopia can be easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses. At Family Eye Care Services, we also offer MiSight® 1 day contact lenses which have been proven to slow the progression of Myopia.
If you notice your child is displaying any of the signs or symptoms above, don’t worry – book them in for an eye test and our team will find the best option for you and your child.