Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia is the scientific name for nearsightedness. If you are able to see objects clearly that are close to you, but objects are blurred at a distance, then you are myopic. It is the most common vision condition and affects around 30 percent of the US population.

Because the eye continues to grow throughout childhood and up to the age of 20, most nearsightedness begins while people are still in school.

Causes

Heredity – Most research points to myopia being an inherited condition. If the parents are nearsighted, there is a greater chance their children will be, too.
Stress on the eyes – Besides heredity, there is evidence showing that more people may become myopic from prolonged use of work done close to their eyes, such as using a computer.
Health – Myopia may also be a symptom of people who are at risk of diabetes, which may later develop into cataracts

Myopia occurs when there is too much curvature in the cornea, or when the eyeball becomes elongated. When this happens, light that enters the eye does not focus as it should. The result is blurred images at a distance.

Treatment

There are several ways in which myopia may be treated. The most common is with eyeglasses or contact lenses. A single prescription is used most of the time in people younger than 40, but as people age a bifocal lens may be needed as close images begin to blur just as those at a distance.

Other ways to correct myopia that have become fairly common over the last few years include LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis), PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), and variations of the LASIK procedure. Both LASIK and PRK have been very successful in helping most people recover 20/20 vision. This is done through the use of laser technology performed by an experienced ophthalmologist. The laser is used to reshape the curvature of the cornea. Speak to your eye doctor to learn more about these refractive surgeries and to see if you may be a candidate.

Though myopia can be frustrating, it is a condition that millions have learned to live with. Wearing glasses or contact lenses becomes second nature and many people are fine with these vision correction choices. However, there are some people who would prefer to have vision that is close to perfect without glasses or contacts. If you are one of these people, you may be a candidate for a laser refractive procedure.

If you would like to learn more about options to correct your myopia, please contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.