Description

Myopia is a common vision condition in which close objects appear clear, but now the objects look blurry. The medical term for nearsightedness myopia. Myopia occurs when the shape of the eyes, or the shape of certain parts of the eye, causes the light rays to bend, or refract. The rays of light that must be focused on the tissue of the nerves in the back of the eye, called the retina, focus in front of the retina in place.

Myopia usually develops during childhood and adolescence. Normally, it becomes more stable between the ages of 20 and 40. It tends to run in families.

A basic eye exam can confirm nearsightedness. You can correct the blurred vision with eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.

Symptoms

Myopia symptoms may include:

  • Blurry vision when looking at distant objects.
  • The need to squint or partially close the eyelids to see clearly.
  • Headaches.
  • The tiredness of the view.

School-age children may have difficulty seeing things on whiteboards or projections on the screen in the classroom. Young children may not express the difficulty of view, but one which may have the following behaviors that suggest the difficulty of seeing:

  • Constant squinting.
  • It seems to not be aware of the distant objects.
  • Blink often.
  • The rubbing of the eyes often.
  • Sitting close to the television or screens in moving closer to the face.

Adults with myopia may notice difficulty reading street signs or signs on the shops. Some people may experience blurred vision in dim light, such as night driving, even if you can see clearly in the light of the day. This condition is called the night of the myopia.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with an eye doctor if your child shows signs of vision problems or if a teacher reports of potential problems.

Make an appointment for you if you notice a change in your vision, difficulty performing tasks such as driving or find that the quality of your vision affects the enjoyment of the activities.

Seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following:

  • The sudden appearance of many floaters — tiny specks or lines that seem to drift through your field of vision.
  • Flashes of light in one or both eyes.
  • A curtain-like shadow gray that covers the whole or part of your field of vision.
  • A shadow in the outer part of the side vision, or known as peripheral vision.

These are warning signs of the retina to detach from the back of the eye. This condition is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Important myopia is associated with an increased risk of retinal detachment.

Regular eye exams

Children and adults may not be aware of the problems with vision or changes that occur gradually. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends regular vision exams to ensure the timely diagnosis and treatment.

Children and adolescents

Your child's pediatrician or other health care professional makes it relatively simple tests to check the health of the eyes of his son at birth, between 6 and 12 months of age, and between 12 and 36 months of age. If there is any problem, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the health of the eyes and the attention, it is called an ophthalmologist.

Eye exams are tests to check vision problems. A screening test can be performed by a pediatrician, ophthalmologist, optometrist or other trained health care provider. Eye exams are often offered at schools or community centers.

The recommended times for the detection of the following way:

  • At least once between the ages of 3 and 5.
  • Before kindergarten, usually at the age of 5 or 6.
  • Annually through the end of high school.

If a problem is found in a screening test, it is likely that you will need to schedule a complete eye exam with an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.

Adults

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that healthy adults who do not have problems with vision or eye disease should get a complete eye exam with the following schedule:

  • At least once between the ages of 20 and 29.
  • At least twice between the ages of 30 and 39 years.
  • Every 2 to 4 years of age from 40 to 54.
  • Every 1 to 3 years ages 55 to 64.
  • Every 1 to 2 years after age 65.

If you have diabetes, a family history of eye disease, high blood pressure, or other risks of heart or vascular disease, it is likely that you need to more-regular eye exams. Also, it is likely that you need to more-regular screenings if you already have a prescription for glasses or contact lenses, or if you have had surgery for vision correction. Your health care professional or eye care specialist may recommend how often to get a test.

Causes

The eye has two parts that focus images:

  • The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye.
  • The lens is a clear structure about the shape and size of a pinto bean.

For you see, the light has to pass through the cornea and the lens. These parts of the eye to bend — also called refract the light so that the light is focused directly onto the retina at the back of your eye. These tissues to translate the light into signals that are sent to the brain, which allows you to perceive images.

Refractive errors

Myopia is a refractive error. This problem occurs when the shape or condition of the cornea or the shape of the eye itself — causes an error of approach of the light passing into the eye.

Myopia usually occurs when the eye is too long or oval shaped instead of round. It can also result when the curve of the cornea is too curved. With these changes, the light rays come to a point in front of the retina and of the cross. Messages sent from the retina to the brain, are perceived as blurred.

Other errors of refraction are:

  • Farsightedness, also called hyperopia. In hyperopia, the eyeball is shorter than in a typical eye, or the cornea has too little curvature. Some people can see distant objects something more clear, but close objects appear blurry. For some people with hyperopia, the objects are blurry at all distances.
  • The astigmatism. In astigmatism, the cornea or lens is curved more pronounced in one direction than in another. The vision is distorted or blurry at all distances.

Risk factors

Certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing myopia, including:

  • Genetics. Nearsightedness tends to run in families. If one of your parents are nearsighted, your risk of developing the disease is higher. The risk is greater if both parents are nearsighted.
  • Prolonged close activities. To read or do other activities that for a long time was associated with an increased risk of myopia.
  • The screen time. Studies have shown that children who use computers or smart devices for long periods of time have a greater risk of developing myopia.
  • Environmental conditions. Some studies support the idea that not spending enough time outdoors can increase the risk of myopia.

Complications

Myopia is associated with a variety of complications, such as:

  • Poor school experiences. Children with myopia or other vision problems may experience delays in reading and other academic skills, difficulties with social interactions, and a low self-esteem.
  • Reduction of the quality of life. If the myopia is not corrected, it can prevent you from performing daily tasks well or enjoy activities.
  • The tiredness of the view. Not the correction of myopia can cause persistent eye fatigue and headaches.
  • Deterioration of the security. Your safety and the safety of others may be in danger if you have a vision problem. This could be especially serious if you are driving a car or operating heavy machinery.
  • Other eye problems. Severe myopia that puts you at an increased risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts and other serious eye disorders.

Diagnosis

Nearsightedness is diagnosed with a basic eye exam. Your eye doctor will likely ask about your child or your medical history and ask about the medications used.

Visual acuity test

A visual acuity test checks the sharpness of your vision at a distance. Cover one eye, and the eye doctor asks you to read a table with letters, or symbols of different sizes. Then do the same for the other eye. The special cards are designed for very young children.

Phoroptor test

In this test, reads a letter from the eye, while looking through a device that has different goals. This test helps to determine a proper prescribing of medications to correct vision problems.

Other evidence of the health of the eyes

Your eye doctor can do other simple tests to check the following:

  • The response of the pupils to light.
  • Movement of the eyes.
  • The side vision, which is also called peripheral vision.
  • The pressure inside the eye.
  • The condition of the cornea, the pupil, the lens, and eyelids.

Examination of the inside of the eye

Your eye doctor may use a special lens with a light to examine the state of the retina and the optic nerve. The specialist is likely to put drops in your eyes to dilate them. This provides a better view of the inside of the eye. Your eyes will probably be sensitive to light for a couple of hours. The wear and tear of the temporary sunglasses provided by the specialist or your own sunglasses.

Treatment

The objective standard of the treatment of myopia is to improve the vision, helping to focus light on the retina with corrective lenses or refractive surgery. The management of myopia also includes regular monitoring for complications of the disease, such as glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachment.

Prescription lenses

Wearing corrective lenses is the myopia by counteracting the increase of the curvature of the cornea or the increase of the length of your eye. Types of prescription lenses include:

  • The glasses. Wearing glasses is such a simple and secure way to focus the vision caused by myopia. The lenses can also be designed to correct a combination of refractive errors, such as myopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism.
  • The contact lenses. Contact lenses are small plastic discs which are placed directly on the cornea. A single contact lens can correct more than one error of refraction. There is a great variety of materials and care requirements. Your ophthalmologist can recommend contact lenses that are most suitable for your prescription and lifestyle.

Refractive surgery

The refractive surgery reduces the need for glasses and contact lenses. Your surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea, resulting in a decrease of the need for myopia prescription glasses. Even after the surgery, you may need to wear glasses some of the time.

  • Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). With this procedure, the surgeon makes a thin, hinged flap in the cornea. Then, the surgeon uses a laser to remove tissue from the cornea to flatten your domed shape. The LASIK surgery recovery is generally faster and causes less discomfort than the recovery of other surgeries of the cornea.
  • Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK). The surgeon creates an ultra-thin flap only in the outer cornea of the protective cover, called the epithelium. A laser is used to reshape the cornea and flatten its curve. The epithelium is then put back in its place.
  • Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). This procedure is similar to LASEK , except the surgeon completely removes the epithelium. Then, the surgeon uses the laser to reshape the cornea. A temporary protection of the contact lens covers the cornea until the epithelium grows naturally, as the cornea of the new form.
  • Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). In this procedure, there is no flap or the removal of the epithelium. Instead, it uses a laser beam to cut a small disk-shaped piece of the cornea, called a lenticule. The lenticule is then removed through a small corneal incision.

Surgical treatments are not an option for all over the world with myopia. Surgery is recommended only when the myopia is no longer progressing. Your surgeon will explain the benefits and risks of the surgical treatment options.

Treatments to slow or stop the progression of myopia

Researchers and clinicians continue to seek more effective approaches to slow the progression of myopia in children and adolescents. Therapies that show the most promise include:

  • The atropine. Atropine eye drops are commonly used to dilate the pupil of the eye, often as part of the vision tests, or before and after eye surgery. Low-dose atropine eye drops can also help to slow the progression of myopia.
  • Increase the time out. Spending time outdoors during childhood, adolescence, and early adult years can reduce the risk of developing myopia.
  • Dual focus contact lenses. A kind of dual approach of the contact lens has been shown to have some effect in slowing the progression of myopia.
  • Orthokeratology. A rigid contact lens is worn at night to temporarily reshapes the cornea. The goal is not to used during the day. Studies have shown that this therapy may slow the progression of myopia.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Steps you can take to promote good eye health and vision include the following:

  • Get regular eye exams.
  • Protect your eyes from the sun.
  • Wear protective eyewear during sports or work that can result in eye injuries.
  • Use good lighting when reading and working.
  • The wear and tear of the prescription of corrective lenses as directed.
  • Care for the prescription of glasses or contact lenses as directed.
  • Rest your eyes on the computer or in others up to work every 20 minutes by looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
  • Eat healthy foods.
  • Get regular exercise.
  • Control of health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, that can affect your vision.
  • Do not smoke.

Preparing for your appointment

Specialists in the care of the eyes

You can find three types of specialists like you to seek the help of various diseases of the eyes:

  • The ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist is an eye specialist with a doctor of medicine (M. D.) degree or doctor of osteopathy (D. O.) degree, followed by a residency in ophthalmology. Ophthalmologists are trained to provide comprehensive eye evaluations, prescribe corrective lenses, diagnose and treat common and complex disorders of the eyes, and perform eye surgery.
  • Optometrist. An optometrist is a doctor of optometry (O. D.) degree. Optometrists are trained to provide comprehensive eye evaluations, prescribe corrective lenses, and diagnose and treat common eye disorders.
  • Optician. An ophthalmologist is a specialist who helps people in the form of glasses or contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists. Some states require opticians to be licensed. Opticians are not trained to diagnose or treat eye diseases.

What you can do

  • If you already wear glasses, bring them with you to your appointment. Your eye doctor has a device that measures the prescription of your current glasses. If you wear contact lenses, bring an empty contact lens case for each one of the eyes of your appointment.
  • List of the symptoms that you are experiencing, such as difficulty reading up close or difficulty driving at night.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Create a list of questions to ask your ophthalmologist.

Prepare a list of questions that may help you get the most out of your visit. For myopia, some basic questions to ask include:

  • When I need to use corrective lenses?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of the glasses?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of the contacts?
  • How often is it recommended that I have my eyes examined?
  • They are more permanent treatments, such as surgery of the eyes, an option for me?
  • If so, which do you recommend?
  • What types of side effects are possible from these treatments?
  • Does my insurance company to pay for surgical procedures or a contact lens fitting?
  • Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take my house? What sites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your eye doctor may ask:

  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
  • Does your vision improve if you squint your eyes, or move the objects closer or further away?
  • Do others in your family to use glasses or contact lenses? Do you know how old they were when you first began to have problems with your vision?
  • When did you first start wearing glasses or contact lenses?
  • Do you have any health problem, such as diabetes?
  • It has started taking any new medications, supplements or herbal preparations?
Symptoms and treatment of Myopia