Has your child begun to have trouble seeing the board at school or squints at the TV or movie screen? Do street signs and people’s faces seem out-of-focus or blurry until they get a bit closer? If you or your child are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from a medical eye disorder known as myopia – also known as nearsightedness. Nearsightedness is a very common vision condition affecting nearly 30 percent of the U.S. population. Let’s examine this prevalent eye disorder including: symptoms, causes and treatments.
Nearsightedness –
This disorder allows for clear vision for objects that are near but blurry vision for items that are further away – thus the name nearsighted. People who are afflicted with this may notice blurred vision or fuzzy vision, and possibly experience eye strain headaches.
Causes-
The main cause of nearsightedness is the excessive curve or shape or the cornea directing the image not squarely on the retina. As a result, the light entering the eye isn’t focused correctly and distant objects look blurred. Some research finds that nearsightedness is inherited from relatives who also experienced this eye disorder. Other research shows evidence that eye strain and too much close work is to blame for this disorder.
Treatments –
- Corrective Lenses – After a comprehensive optometrist examination glasses or contact lenses may be prescribed for patients experiencing this blurriness. Depending on the amount of nearsightedness, you may only need to wear glasses or contact lenses for certain activities, like watching a movie or driving a car. Or, if you are very nearsighted, they may need to be worn all the time.
- Surgery – Laser Surgery – Reshaping the curve of the cornea is possible in some cases of nearsightedness and will result in no corrective lenses being needed. Refractive surgery procedures are also now available. These procedures involve implanting a small lens with the desired optical correction directly inside the eye.
