Myopia is often a common vision condition, affecting millions of people worldwide. It's important for one to understand the causes and symptoms and track the progression of nearsightedness before it slips out of the hand. Here are some of the common questions about myopia answered for those who are tired of squinting because of blurring vision at a far point.
When myopia gets worse, an individual can even undergo complications associated with vision; it can get as serious as blindness. The high degree of myopia can trigger a vision-threatening condition known as myopic macular degeneration. In the initial stages, only the distant object appears blurry, and you have difficulty squinting under myopia (nearsightedness). But as the symptom progresses with eye strain and headaches, this can get as serious as retinal detachment, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Not to confuse them with myopia and presbyopia, these two are different and independent vision problems. These do not cancel out each other and presbyopia has nothing to do with myopia. Here’s the differentiation between myopia and presbyopia and answers to your queries:
| Basis | Myopia (Nearsightedness) | Presbyopia (Age-related Farsightedness) |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Irregularity in the shape of the eyeball (too long) and cornea (too curved) | Eye lenses lose flexibility with age |
| Onset | One can have it with birth (childhood) and even develop in adolescence | Typically, it develops in 40s and 50s |
| Vision impairment | Issues with distance vision (blurry and unclear) | Close-up vision is distorted or blurry |
| Symptoms | Squint to focus on distant objects | Difficulty reading, recognizing faces, and headaches |
| Treatments | Concave lenses (glasses, contacts) | Convex lenses (reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses) |
| Relationship | Can coexist with presbyopia, but they are independent conditions | Myopia does not prevent the development of presbyopia |
Here are some key points one need not ignore. As these two are separate vision problems, they do not cancel out each other. Those with myopia should be aware of their vision needs so that they do not develop presbyopia as they age.
High myopia refers to the severe myopic and nearsightedness condition when one gets a prescription exceeding -6 diopters.
Individuals diagnosed with a high degree of myopia may require high-index lenses and prescription glasses. These are usually thinner and lighter than standard plastic lenses, ensuring more comfort. Materials with higher refractive values are used for making such high-index lenses. This can be index values like 1.67, 1.74, or 1.80.
High myopic glasses have flatter surfaces, using aspheric lenses to minimize edge distortion based on the vision needs of individuals. In an experiment conducted with myopic eyes ranging from -0.75 D to -4.75 D, the use of slightly aspherical lenses, or single-vision lenses in children's eyes reduced the progression of myopia. These lenses are also suitable for a high degree of myopia.
If one has high myopia plus presbyopia, then the doctors usually recommend multiple vision zones in one lens, known as trifocals or progressive lenses.
EVO Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is recently in practice to treat moderate to high nearsightedness (Myopia) as approved by FDA in 2022.
The global rise of myopia has been a concern. There is a strong symbiosis of outdoor activity and lifestyle factors for the spread of Myopia in Eastern Asia. The escalating trend of myopia in children and young adults is projected to grow to 49.8% of the global population by the end of 2050. There is a higher risk of glaucoma, retinal detachment, and irreversible blindness associated with myopia. The arising concerns are vision impairment and blindness due to pathological changes in the choroid and sclera, emphasizing the seriousness of high myopia in the future. Myopia has a strong genetic component, with over 40 genes linked to its development. That's why its awareness has become a necessity. Myopia is seen highest among children of East Asian ethnicity and is found to be more evident in 80–90% of cases living in some urban areas.
There are several treatments associated with myopia. Eye doctors recommend prescription glasses with concave lenses for children for optimal comfort in reading and writing; other treatment measures are:
Single-vision spectacle lenses are commonly prescribed for myopia. They correct the refractive error but do not slow the accompanying eye growth or retard physiological changes associated with excessive axial elongation.
Soft contact lenses are safe to wear full-time and provide you with extended depth of focus. It can come in dual-focus, multifocal, and extended focal designs and has slow myopic progression in children and teenagers. It has the dual benefit of controlling and correcting myopia progression.
Atropine eye drops, in low concentrations, have been shown to slow myopia progression. These eye drops have low concentration but are effective in slowing myopia progression in children. While there are no prominent side effects, those with glaucoma or allergic reactions can experience eye redness and discontinue use if they observe irritation in the eyes.
Lasik is an effective eye procedure for correcting moderate levels of myopia (up to -6 D and not more than that). Even moderate astigmatism can be corrected up to 2 D. The outcomes of Lasik are less predictable and effective for those with a high degree of myopia.
Emergency treatment includes wearing special contact lenses while asleep; that's called orthokeratology. It's a non-surgical ortho-k process where gas-permeable contact lenses temporarily reshape the cornea while you are asleep. Even the use of atropine eye drops shows promise for slowing myopia progression.
One with higher myopia and cataracts can have the risk of posterior capsule rupture, macular edema, and retinal detachment. That’s why special consideration is given to the safety of high myopia cataract surgery. To secure optimal vision post-operation, efforts and advancements in lens technology have been evident and suitable eye surgery never fails to disappoint you.
| Basis | Myopia | Astigmatism |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | The eyeball is long and curved | Uneven cornea and lens |
| Vision affected | Blurry distance vision | Blurry vision at all distances |
| Treatments | Use of concave lenses, LASIK surgery | Eyeglasses with toric lenses and LASIK |
Astigmatism and myopia are both refractive errors and astigmatism is indeed worse as one faces difficulty seeing at all distances. These conditions can develop in childhood and be diagnosed through comprehensive eye exams; make sure you take one at regular intervals.
While questions on myopia continue, it is advisable to spend more time outdoors during adolescence and early childhood to reduce myopia naturally. Research has discovered that children who are physically active and spend more time playing outdoor games have less myopia diagnosed, and yes, genetics cases are not taken into consideration here. Here is what else you can consider to answer your questions on myopia:
You can find a myopia specialist near you who can give expert advice regarding your eyesight. Vision Concern Clinic can help you provide professional service and it contains optometrists who can prevent your vision loss through myopia with effective control and slow progression methods, with best-equipped tools, treatment procedures, and prescription spectacle lenses. Inquire today to book your appointment and answer your questions on myopia with a top myopia specialist in Nepal.
For patient information on myopia and current research, see the National Eye Institute myopia overview. Myopia degree, progression and suitable correction or control options require professional measurement and follow-up.
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