When you find it hard to read road signs from afar but reading books up close seems easy enough, there’s a good chance that you have nearsightedness or myopia. While it’s a common condition that a pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses can fix, you can even opt for refractive eye surgery if you do not want to depend on corrective eyewear.
Since myopia is a refractive error, corrective laser eye surgery can fix the problem without any hassles. However, as always, seeking treatment from a certified and qualified eye surgeon or ophthalmologist deems necessary. Wherever you reside, find an experienced eye doctor, get a consultation, and check if you qualify for the surgery before opting for it. You might ask why? You will learn more about it in this article that talks about myopia in detail, including diagnosis and treatment options.
What Is Myopia?
A well-known vision problem, myopia or nearsightedness, occurs when the shape of your eye causes the light to bend or refract incorrectly. When the light rays focus images in front of the retina rather than on it, it causes myopia. While it can develop gradually or quickly, it usually develops, or the condition worsens in adolescence. You can compensate for the blurred eyesight with eyeglasses or contact lenses, but refractive eye surgery can get rid of the problem once and for all.
Usually, myopia symptoms include blurred vision when looking at objects afar, headaches caused due to eyestrain, the inability to drive a vehicle, especially at night, and the need to squint to see clearly. If these symptoms persist or worsen with flashes of light in one or both eyes, it’s time for you to see a doctor. Regular eye checkups can help detect any eye condition much in advance and get you the necessary treatment on time.
Considering the symptoms and causes of myopia, your eye doctor will go through a proper diagnostic process, which you will learn about next.
Nearsightedness: Myopia Diagnosis Process
A comprehensive eye examination can determine whether you have myopia or nearsightedness. It usually includes a standard vision test where you might have to read letters on a chart or a short paragraph placed on the other side of the room. Besides, to make sure it is myopia, your eye doctor might need to use a set of instruments that will make it unquestionable. These instruments can help detect the refractive error, thus helping with the eventual treatment. More often than not, you will find ophthalmologists suggest surgery to remove the refractive error. In any case, these examination devices include:
Retinoscope – A retinoscope shines light into your eyes, which reflects off your retina. It helps determine whether you have myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
Phoropter – It measures the extent of refractive error. It goes on to determine the correct prescription for your vision problem and helps with the treatment.
With a proper diagnosis, your eye doctor can determine the correct treatment for myopia. It will eventually reduce your dependency on corrective eyewear and improve your vision.
Read more: What Is Myopia? Learn Its Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatments
Nearsightedness: Myopia Treatment
The aim of treating myopia or nearsightedness remains simple – improving vision. How? By focusing light on your retina with the use of corrective eyewear or refractive surgery. The treatment does not limit to wearing glasses or contact lenses or getting surgery. Managing a condition like myopia requires regular checkups and monitoring to rule out any complications. It could include glaucoma, cataracts, and any damage to retinal areas. While you might not find one single treatment for myopia, your eye doctor can determine the most effective method for you depending on the condition of your eyes and your lifestyle.
The treatment options for myopia or nearsightedness include:
- Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses
Wearing corrective eyewear – eyeglasses and contact lenses – helps smoothen the curvature of your cornea or the increased length of your eye. Eyeglasses remain the simplest yet effective form of treatment for myopia. Depending on your eyes, you will get prescribed either single vision glasses, bifocals, trifocals, or progressive multifocal.
On the other hand, contact lenses come in handy when you do not want to wear eyeglasses all the time. However, contact lenses might not suit everyone. So, you need to check with your eye doctor if you can and should wear them.
- Refractive Surgery
If you wish to reduce your dependency on corrective eyewear like eyeglasses and contact lenses, refractive eye surgery is for you. There are three effective types of refractive eye surgeries: Laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses (LASIK), Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK), Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and ReLEx SMILE surgery. In refractive eye surgery, your eye surgeon will use a laser beam to reshape your cornea, thus improving your vision and helping you see objects clearly from afar.
Although all these eye procedures remain safe, you must check with your doctor regarding any risks or side effects about you. Moreover, you need to check your eligibility for this procedure as well.
- Orthokeratology
Some treatment options seek to slow down or stop the progression of myopia or nearsightedness. Orthokeratology is one of them. In this procedure, you will have to wear rigid, gas-permeable contact lenses for a few hours a day to even out the curvature of your eye. You will further need to reduce its frequency to help maintain the new shape. But, if you discontinue this treatment, your eyes might return to their original form. According to some studies, orthokeratology slows down the elongation of your eyes.
- Low-dose Atropine
Some researchers believe that atropine can slow down the progression of myopia or nearsightedness. While they are commonly used to dilate the pupils as part of eye examination or surgery, the exact mechanism and benefit remain unknown.
All of these treatments contribute to correcting your vision problem – myopia. Although there are other forms of treatment available, only your eye surgeon or ophthalmologist can determine the most suitable one for your eyes. Therefore, remember to consult your eye doctor before opting for any treatment, whether it’s invasive or non-invasive.
Conclusion
Myopia remains one of the most treatable vision problems. However, only your ophthalmologist or eye surgeon can determine the form of treatment best suitable for you. Moreover, the treatment also depends on the extent of your eye condition. Therefore, if you notice anything unusual or worrying concerning your eyes, reach out to your eye doctor and seek immediate help.
When it comes to the experience and expertise of ophthalmologists, Dada Laser Eye Institute will guide you. The eye doctors will explain the risks involved, share their knowledge, and make sure you find it comfortable to take the plunge; to go through with the vision correction process. You can get in touch with the experts and get proper consultation by giving us a call at (+91) 992 299 5549 or visit our website to fill out a form.