What is myopia?
Myopia or nearsightedness is an eye condition caused by a refractive error when the eyes do not focus light correctly, making faraway objects appear fuzzy or blurry. Nearsighted people can see nearby objects without any difficulty.
Causes of myopia
The most vital cause of myopia or nearsightedness is a refractive error. The retina is the surface at the back of the eye that collects light. In nearsighted vision, the eye focuses light in front of the retina instead of onto it. This will result in blurred vision.
A person having myopia is likely that his/her eyeball is a little too long. These structural changes can cause the eye to focus inaccurately.
Risk factors in myopia
Children who suffer from myopia may continue to have their vision worsen over time. Vision blurring and headache can be symptoms of myopia in adults. Since childhood myopia is the most frequent link to adult myopia, everyone should be familiar with risks at both stages of life. The long-term risks associated with myopia progression are really important to understand.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. Myopia causes structural changes to the eye such as an increase in the retinal nerve fiber layers. This leads to the thickening of the macula which can stimulate the onset of glaucoma.
Retinal detachment
In highly myopic people, retinal thinning can occur with age. The retina is more stretched and therefore prone to peripheral retinal tears and holes which can lead to retinal detachment. Myopia can also cause central retinal degenerative changes.
Cataracts
The increasing axial eyeball length in myopic eyes prevents nutrient delivery to the back side of the lenses. As a result, people with high myopia lose their clarity and initiate forming cataracts.
Macular degeneration
If more myopic cells grow in the center of the retina, it can become affected causing a blind spot in the center of the eye. The thinning of the back of the eye by myopia can also cause cracks in the deeper layers under the retina leading to shrinking or bleeding in the center of the macula.
Blindness
Uncorrected distance refractive error is an important cause of blindness and the leading cause of moderate and severe vision impairment. Degenerative myopia causes progressive stretching and gradual damage to the retina, choroid, vitreous, sclera, and optic nerve. Myopic degeneration is often diagnosed before the teenage years and may become worse in adulthood. With the increasing prevalence of myopia, visual impairment caused by this condition will continue to surge.
Symptoms of myopia
People suffering from Myopia may notice various symptoms, such as-
- Faraway objects look blurred or fuzzy.
- Shortened attention span.
- Close items appear clear.
- Headaches.
- Eye strain.
- Squinting.
- Eye fatigueness when driving, playing sports, or looking more than a few feet away.
Treatment for myopia
There is no best method for correcting myopia. Optometrist can suggest proper glasses or contact lenses that can correct myopia in children and adults. Several types of refractive surgeries can also be effective to correct myopia.
Spectacles
The most popular way to treat a myopia is by wearing spectacle and contact lenses. Depending on the degree of vision correction needed, an optometrist will suggest wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses accordingly.
Refractive surgery
Laser eye surgeries help to reshapes the cornea and adjust how light travels through it. Some common procedures for this surgery are –
- LASIK
- LASEK
- PRK
- SMILE
- TransPRK
- Implantable contact lens surgery
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Orthokeratology or Ortho-K is a treatment that uses a series of semi hard contact lenses to reshape the cornea and reduce mild myopia. It involves sleeping with the semi hard contact lenses on every night.
Take care of your eyes
- Reduce screen timing
- Regular eye check-up
- Wear proper glasses and lenses prescribed by a doctor
- Refrain from doing activities like swimming, or sleeping with contacts.
- Eating healthy
Nearsightedness is diagnosed by an optometrist after a series of eye examination. Whenever you feel uneasy with your vision, may it be blurry or hollow immediately go for myopia eye exam. Mild Myopia can be treated easily but if it turns into a severe condition, it can lead to blindness.
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