Understanding Nearsightedness (Myopia)
Nearsightedness (also known as myopia) refers to the visual condition in which the individual is able to see nearby objects, but the objects which are farther away appear blurry.
A person who is myopic finds it tough to see distant objects. This condition develops during childhood and adolescence and keeps increasing with age. High myopia will stabilize between the ages of 20-30 years.
The condition of myopia tends to run in families, but it also occurs due to other environmental factors (such as reading books too closely, an improper distance of eyes from the computer screen etc.) also.
This so happens when the eyeball is too long and the cornea is too curved or the form of the lens is too problematic. These conditions cause the light to pass through the lens and make an image too much before the retina; thereby making it difficult for an individual to see distant objects.
Symptoms of Myopia
If a person detects the following symptoms, he must consult an eye doctor, get his eyes inspected and learn about myopia sickness-
a. Distant objects looking blurry or fuzzy while near vision remains clear
b. Frequent Headaches
c. Eye Strain
e. Squinting
f. Finding it difficult to drive and see the various landmarks on road
g. Students may find it difficult to see the board and their handwriting worsens
h. Holding objects too close to the eyes for observation
When to See the Doctor?
a. For Children and Adolescents
You should start your child’s eye test as early as 6 months if you notice any abnormality. At 12 months, 24 months and 36 months simple eye tests to evaluate eye health are essential.
An annual eye exam between the age of 3-5, and 5-6 years are important to detect any vision problem.
For adolescents, an eye screening once a year is recommended. After high school, one screening should be conducted.
b. For Adults
- Once between the age of 20-29
- Twice in the ages of 30-39
- Every 2-4 years in ages 40-54
- Every 1 -3 years in ages 55-64
- Every 1-2 years after age 65
An individual having a family history of eye diseases must have eye checks at a higher frequency. If you have diabetes, hypertension or already wear glasses, then you need to visit the eye doctor much more frequently.
Eye disorders detected at the right age can be effectively treated and cured.
How to get Myopia Treated?
Once diagnosed, myopia can be effectively treated.There are multiple solutions for curing it-
a. Eyeglasses
Glasses are the simplest way to cure myopia. Depending on the intensity of the vision problem, the doctor will recommend you wear the glasses for the whole day or only for looking at farther objects.
It is generally suggested to children and adolescents wear glasses the whole day.
b. Contact Lenses
Those who do not prefer wearing glasses may wear contact lenses to solve their vision problem. Your eye specialist will suggest you the best lenses for you and their care regimen.
c. LASIK Laser
Lasik laser surgery is a Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis procedure in which your eye surgeon will use a laser to cut open the flap through the top of the cornea, reshapes the corneal tissue and then puts the lap back in place.
This site surgery is very popular and very effective.
d. PRK
Mild or moderate types of nearsightedness can be cured using this surgery.PRK is a short form of photorefractive keratectomy.
This type of surgery is preferred for those patients whose cornea is very thin and cannot be cut open just like in the Lasik laser. Here, the surgeon will only use a laser to reshape the cornea to form a proper image of the retina.
e. Vision Therapy
When there are spasms in the focusing muscles of eye, the also lead to myopia in an individual. Such kind of condition is treated through vision therapy by a eye surgeon in Jaipur.
f. Ortho-k or CRT
Some mild myopic patients are suggested to wear contact lenses to bed so that their cornea can be reshaped. A good eye clinic in Jaipur can treat your myopia his way.
g. Phakic Intraocular Lenses
Short-sighted eye surgery involves two main types of procedures- LASIK and PRK.In LASIK surgery, a cut is made in the cornea and it is reshaped, while in PRK laser is used directly to reshape the cornea.
If a person has very high myopia and his/her cornea is too thin, in such a case
To correct vision, phakic intraocular lenses are inserted in front of the eye lenses.
Useful Tips that help prevent Myopia
There are a few tips, which should be followed to maintain healthy eyesight and also prevent myopia from worsening-
1. Always work in adequate lighting (no dim lights)
2. Reduce your screen time
3. Wear protective eyeglasses if you work too much on screens
4. Go for regular eye exams (an annual eye exam is a must)
5. Exercise a lot (particularly eye exercises)
6. Take good nutrition. Vitamins A, C and lutein should be included in your diet.
Understanding the problem is almost half the solution to it. Having understood the nearsightedness condition of the eye, one can very well take care of his/her eyes in consultation with an eye specialist.
