Myopia<\/a>, also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, is the inability to see distant images or objects clearly<\/em>\u2014 making it difficult to see road signs, the television, or a clock on the wall.<\/p>\n Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long (axial length), or the cornea and\/or eye lens are too curved, relative to the length of the eyeball. A myopic eye focuses images in front<\/i> of the retina, instead of directly on <\/i>the retina, resulting in blurry distant vision.<\/p>\n Myopia can be corrected using corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses<\/a> and is noted on the eye doctor\u2019s optical prescription by a negative sign, such as -1.00 or -2.25.<\/p>\n Myopia is often hereditary, and typically begins in childhood and plateaus by the age of 20.<\/p>\n Myopia may also develop in adulthood as a result of environmental factors or health problems:<\/b><\/p>\n Myopia is diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam using the following tests:<\/p>\n Visual acuity: <\/b><\/a>During this test, you will be asked to identify letters on a distance chart.<\/p>\n Retinoscopy<\/a>:<\/b> This is a technique used to obtain an objective measurement of a refractive error. Your eye doctor will use a retinoscope to shine light into your eye and observe the reflection or reflex, off of your retina.<\/p>\n Tests of eye focusing abilities include:<\/b><\/p>\n If you are diagnosed with myopia, your eye doctor will give you a prescription for corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.<\/p>\n Yes.<\/b><\/p>\n In most cases, low levels of myopia, generally below -3.00, present little risk, if any, to your ocular health. These lower levels of myopia present more of an inconvenience than a health risk, as you will\u00a0 need to get used to wearing glasses or contact lenses to see clearly.<\/p>\n However, in about 10 percent of people with myopia, the condition worsens in severity.\u00a0 Sometimes myopia can worsen to the point that it is considered a degenerative disorder, which could cause significant or total total loss of vision.<\/p>\n Myopia is a serious condition that can increase the risk of developing ocular diseases later in life, such as cataracts<\/a>, glaucoma<\/a>, or retinal detachment<\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n The good news is that with regular eye exams<\/a>, vision therapy<\/a>, and myopia management, you can regain clear vision\u2014 while decreasing your risk of developing an ocular disease.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The main cause of myopia progression is an increase in the eye\u2019s overall length, this also known as the eye’s axial length.<\/b><\/p>\n Many factors can contribute to increasing the eye’s overall length, such as:<\/p>\n Yes.<\/b><\/p>\n There are now specifically trained optometrists in the field of Myopia Management <\/b>that can provide effective treatments.<\/p>\n Research has shown that certain lifestyle habits can influence myopia progression. For example, the amount of time we spend in front of televisions, computers, cellphones, and other digital devices, can have damaging effects on our eyes.<\/p>\n It is important to follow certain guidelines that can help to reduce these effects:<\/p>\n For all near vision tasks such as reading, writing, texting, and computer use, follow the 20-20-20 rule\u2014 every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away, for 20 seconds.<\/p>\n Slowing the progression of myopia has also been associated with spending time outdoors\u2014 eye doctors recommend 60-80 minutes outside every day.<\/p>\n Spending time outdoors allows natural light to enter the eye and gives the eye muscles a chance to relax and focus on distant objects, while encouraging healthy lifestyle habits.<\/p>\n Eyeglasses<\/b>\u00a0are the most common choice for the purpose of regaining clear distance vision. Full time wear will be necessary if you have a higher prescription. If you have a lower prescription, you may only need to wear your glasses for activities that require distance vision, such as driving or watching TV.<\/p>\n Single-vision lenses<\/b><\/a> are generally prescribed for clear vision at all distances.<\/p>\n Bifocal or multifocal lenses<\/b> <\/a>may be required for patients over age 40, or for myopia caused by focusing difficulties.\u00a0 These lenses provide different optical powers throughout the lens to enable clear vision for near and distant images.<\/p>\n Contact lenses<\/a> <\/b>provide clear vision at all distances, with a wider field of view, as compared to eyeglasses. Many people prefer to wear contacts for aesthetic or social reasons, and for ease of comfort when playing sports. However, contact lenses are placed directly on the eyes, and therefore require proper hygiene to maintain eye health.<\/a><\/p>\n Laser procedures<\/b><\/a>\u00a0such as LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) or PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) can provide clear vision by permanently removing corneal tissue to improve the eye\u2019s focusing abilities.<\/p>\n Other refractive surgery procedures, <\/b>called phakic intraocular lens implant, and clear lens extraction with intraocular lens implantation, involve placing an implant in front of, or in place of the natural lens, for vision correction. These procedures are generally performed on people with high myopia who cannot undergo laser surgery.<\/p>\n Contact a vision therapy eye doctor<\/strong><\/a> to diagnose and treat your myopia, so that you can have clear vision.<\/p>\n SEE RELATED: <\/strong>Myopia Management: The Alarming Rise in Global Prevalence<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\n
What causes myopia?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Signs and symptoms of myopia<\/b><\/h2>\n
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How is myopia diagnosed?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Can myopia cause serious eye problems?<\/b><\/h2>\n
What causes myopia to worsen?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Is it possible to prevent myopia from worsening?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Spend time outdoors<\/b><\/h3>\n
How is myopia treated?<\/b><\/h2>\n