Myopia is commonly called nearsightedness. Objects in the far distance appear blurred, while closer objects remain clear. It generally begins to develop in the early school age years. If your parents are myopic, you will be more likely to develop myopia. Very often as time goes by myopia gets worse; that is, far distant objects become more blurred. Stated differently, the farthest distance that can be seen clearly comes closer. As myopia increases the glasses needed to correct it need to be made stronger, resulting in thicker lenses. Sometimes myopia continues to progress until you are done with school, and sometimes even longer if your work load is all close up. Good news: myopia is associated with greater intelligence; new eyeglass lenses can be made with lighter weight and thinner materials; eyeglasses may be considered a fashion accessory; advanced contact lens technology makes for an excellent contact lens wearing experience for almost anyone; remarkable refractive surgery options are available.
Posted In: Myopia
contact lens, eyeglasses, Myopia, nearsightedness
Eye doctors have been trying for many years to control the progression of myopia, often with little success. Such control is desirable not only to avoid the need for thick eyeglasses, and reduce dependence on eyeglasses, but when myopia becomes relatively high there are increased risks of certain sight threatening eye diseases, like retinal detachment or macular degeneration, for example.
New research has clarified techniques that don’t work, as well as, those that do work to control myopic progression. For years eye doctors have prescribed eyeglasses that are not quite the full strength needed to see clearest. Studies have shown that this doesn’t work to control myopia. Eye exercises have also been somewhat disappointing. However, use of certain types of bifocal contact lenses does slow down progression. Orthokeratology (the use of rigid contacts for overnight wear to reshape the eye so that glasses and contacts won’t be needed during the day) has been shown to slow the growth of the eye. Myopia results from elongation of the eye, so if you slow elongation you slow progression. The use of a daily drop of very dilute Atropine instilled into the eyes has also been shown to slow progression with minimal side effects.
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PROGESSION OF MYOPIA IN YOURSELF OR YOUR CHILD, PLEASE SCHEDULE A VISIT WITH US SO WE CAN DISCUSS OPTIONS FOR MYOPIA CONTROL.
Posted In: Myopia
macular degeneration, Myopia, Orthokeratology, retinal detachment