Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common type of refractive error where near objects appear clear, but distant objects appear blurry. Nearsightedness occurs when your eye is too long to the curvature of your cornea. This causes light rays entering your eye to focus in front of the retina, producing a blurred image.
Symptoms of Nearsightedness
Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly
Squinting
Headaches
Eyestrain
What Causes Nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness is a hereditary eye condition, but some researchers also believe that eye fatigue from performing extended close vision tasks like reading can play a factor. During the early development of the eye, It is important to spend time in the outdoors looking at far objects to minimize the likelihood of a progressive increase in myopia.
Prescriptions & Nearsightedness
Do I Need To Wait For My Prescription To Slow Down Before I Am a Candidate For Treatment?
Yes, your prescription should stabilize before having LASIK or any laser vision correction procedure. You need to have less than or equal to a ½ diopter of increase in myopia during the past year to be considered stable for Laser Vision Correction Surgery. 75% of eyes are stable by the age of 15. 91% by the age of 18, 95% by the age of 21 and 98% by the age of 25.
I Have a High-Eyeglass Prescription. Am I a Candidate for Laser Vision Correction?
Yes, laser corrective surgery can treat severe prescriptions safely and effectively. The EVO ICL and Refractive Lens Exchange can be used to treat even higher or extreme and complex prescriptions.
When Does Nearsightedness Start?
Nearsightedness typically appears between the ages of 5 and 12, and almost always before the age of 20. Nearsightedness tends to stabilize in most adults by the age of 18. Because nearsightedness often appears in childhood, it’s frequently diagnosed during school screenings or when parents notice their children sitting too close to the television.
How To Fix Nearsightedness?
Treatment options are available:
PRK Surgery (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
EVO ICL™ (Implantable Collamer Lens)
Small Incision Lenticle Extraction (SMILE)
Is Nearsightedness Genetic?
Yes, nearsightedness can have a genetic component. If one or both parents are nearsighted, there is an increased likelihood that their children may also develop nearsightedness. However, genetics is not the sole factor influencing myopia; environmental factors, lifestyle, and visual habits can also play a role.
Children with myopic parents may have a higher risk of developing nearsightedness, and the degree of nearsightedness can vary. Individuals with a family history of myopia need to have regular eye exams to monitor their vision and address any refractive errors early on.
Additionally, adopting healthy eye care practices, such as spending time outdoors, taking breaks from close-up work, and maintaining good overall eye health, can contribute to managing the progression of nearsightedness.
Every patient is different, and therefore we strive to personalize their treatment based on their unique needs. To schedule with one of our vision care providers for nearsightedness, call (830) 379-3937. Source: nvisioncenters.com.
