Myopia(Nearsightedness): Nearsightedness, or myopia, is the common refractive fault of the eye, and it has become more common in recent years. Myopia happens while the eye grows too long from front to back. Alternately of focusing images on the retina—the light-sensitive tissue in the posterior(back) of the eye—the lens of the eye focuses the image in front of the retina. People with myopia have good near vision but poor distance vision.
The specific cause for the increase in myopia is unknown, many eye specialists feel it has something to do with eye fatigue from computer usage and other prolonged near vision tasks, linked with a genetic predisposition for myopia.
Myopia Symptoms And Signs
Nearsightedness symptoms may include:
- Typically will have difficulty reading road signs and seeing distant objects clearly, but will be able to see close tasks such as reading and computer use.
- Eye fatigue when you try to see objects more than a few feet away.
- Feeling fatigued when driving or playing sports also can be a symptom of uncorrected nearsightedness.
Other symptoms of Nearsightedness include squinting, eye strain and headaches.
Causes of Myopia
Myopia happens while the eyeball is too long, comparable to the focusing power of the cornea and lens of the eye. This makes light rays to focus at a point in anterior(front) of the retina, rather than directly on its surface. Myopic shifts seen through growth spurts of childhood and adolescence, as well as in acromegaly, shows a relationship between the timing of myopic development and the release of human growth hormone.
Diagnosis of Myopia
An optometrist or ophthalmologist has used a refraction, an autorefractor to give an initial objective assessment of the refractive status of each eye, then a phoropter is used to subjectively refine the patient’s eyeglass prescription. Other types of refractive error are astigmatism, hyperopia, and presbyopia.
Myopia Treatment
Anti-muscarinic topical medications in children under 18 years of age may slow the worsening of myopia. These treatments include cyclopentolate eye drops, pirenzepine gel, and atropine eye drops. While these medications were shown to be useful in reducing the progression of myopia, side effects included light irritability and near blur.
Nearsightedness can be corrected with glasses, contacts, or refractive surgery. Depending on the degree of your myopia, you may need to wear your glasses or contact lenses all the time or only when you need a very clear distance vision.
Good choices for eyeglass lenses for nearsightedness comprise photochromic lenses to protect the eyes from UV and to reduce your need for a separate pair of prescription sunglasses outdoors.
If you’re nearsighted, will be preceded by a minus sign (–). The higher the number, the more nearsighted you are.
Eye surgery can correct your vision, you may not ever need glasses or contacts again. LASIK is the most popular surgery for myopia. The surgeon utilizes a laser to create a thin flap on the top of your cornea. The surgeon sculpts the cornea with another laser and moves the flap back into place.
