What Is Myopia?
Commonly known as nearsightedness, myopia is an eye condition that affects a large number of people in the world. Those with this vision problem have difficulty seeing objects from afar. However, they can see near objects clearly. This is a big problem, especially for nearsighted drivers; they can’t make out road signs until they are a couple of feet away. Fortunately, myopia can be easily corrected with contact lenses, eyeglasses and surgery.
Myopia is a refractive error. People with this condition may have longer eyeballs or curved corneas. As a result, the light that enters the eye may not be able to touch on the light-sensitive area. This leads to blurred vision.
In many cases, the gravity or degree of myopia will plateau, but in certain instances, it can worsen as the patient ages. Family history and genetics are a significant contributing factor for myopia. It runs in families and its symptoms usually emerge during childhood.
In addition to blurred vision, people who have myopia often complain of eyestrain, headaches and fatigue when focusing on objects from afar. Children, on the other hand, usually complain of being unable to see the board while in the classroom.
Myopia can be diagnosed with standard eye exams and is easily treated with prescription glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery. In the case of glasses or contact lenses, this helps the eyes to center the light onto the retina, which, in turn, allows for clear vision.
On the other hand, refractive surgery can eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. There are two common procedures undertaken to resolved myopia. One is photorefractive keratectomy; the other is LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis). The former is used to remove corneal tissue, allowing the light rays to reach closer to the retina; the latter is employed to cut a thin flap on the surface of the cornea.
If you’re considering undergoing either of these procedures, you need to speak with your eye doctor to see if you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
