What can cause it and why are more and more people nearsighted?
Myopia is a common vision problem that affects millions of people worldwide. The exact cause is still not fully understood, but many factors can contribute to its development:
- Genetic factors: it is often inherited, so if the parents are nearsighted, there is a greater chance that their child will be nearsighted.
- Environmental factors: prolonged periods of close focusing, such as reading, computer use or other close activities, can contribute to the development of myopia.
- Uncorrected vision problems: If vision problems are not properly treated, the eye can be subjected to constant overstrain, which can lead to myopia.
Changes in our lifestyles and habits are also putting a huge strain on our eyes: whereas we used to spend much more time outdoors, today it is more likely that indoor activities are the main part of our day, unfortunately also for children. While natural light and looking almost constantly into the distance would help maintain healthy eyes, indoor activities and artificial lights do the opposite.
Symptoms of myopia
The most common symptom of myopia is blurred vision at a distance. People often squint or rub their eyes to see better. Other symptoms may include eye fatigue, headaches and eye pain. Screening is extremely important, especially in children and adolescents, as the condition often develops during this period of life and can deteriorate rapidly.
With myopia, we can see close objects and people sharply, but not distant ones. In this case, the image of things further away is projected in front of the retina rather than in the right place.
If we squint a lot to see something in the distance, or if it has become increasingly challenging to read traffic signs while driving, or if we can’t see the numbering of buses, there is a good chance that myopia is ruining our lives.
What can be done?
Screening methods for myopia can include:
- Vision test: during a basic vision test, the optometrist or ophthalmologist will check how well the patient can see at different distances. The optometrist or ophthalmologist will look at the vision of the person who is trying to see.
- Refraction test: This test measures the amount of correction needed to see clearly. During the refraction test, the patient looks through different lenses while the optometrist determines the best lens power.
- Retinal examination: during the retinal examination, the ophthalmologist examines the inner part of the eye to rule out any complications or other vision problems.
Treatment of myopia.
Myopia can be treated in several ways to improve vision and prevent further deterioration:
- Glasses: the most common and easiest way to correct myopia is to wear glasses, which help focus light onto the retina.
- Contact lenses: contact lenses are another popular solution that fit directly on the surface of the eye and improve vision.
- Laser eye surgery: Laser eye surgery can be a more permanent solution to treat myopia by modifying the shape of the cornea to focus light properly. These include PRK, LASIK, FEMTO, etc. Various tests are required to determine whether the eye is suitable for these therapies. These tests are carried out by the clinic where the surgery is performed, provided that the dioptre has been unchanged for at least 3 years. The best time for laser surgery is young adulthood, between 21 and 28 years of age.
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): This is a special contact lens therapy worn at night to temporarily change the shape of the cornea and improve daytime vision.
Although the hereditary factors of myopia cannot be changed, certain lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of developing and worsening the existing condition, such as taking breaks from eye protection. It is important to take breaks while focusing for long periods of time at close range to give your eyes a rest.
Proper lighting can help reduce eye strain when reading or other close-up activities. During outdoor activities, the eyes receive natural light, which can help prevent myopia.
Overall, myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common but treatable vision problem that can be significantly improved with proper screening and correction. Regular vision screening and appropriate lifestyle changes can help prevent and treat the onset of myopia, ensuring clear and sharp vision at any age.
The professionals at Rapidus are ready to help you make the right diagnosis and choose the best treatment options so you can always see the world clearly.
A simple test can tell you if you really have myopia. If so, a nice pair of glasses to suit your needs, or even a light contact lens, can help.
