Corrective lens, What type of lens is used to correct nearsightedness?

Can your eye doctor save your vision? One of the most common vision problems is myopia or nearsightedness. According to statistics, by the year 2050, approximately 5 billion people will be diagnosed with myopia. It’s considered a global epidemic. According to the American Optometric Association, more than 40% of Americans have been diagnosed with myopia and what’s alarming is that every year, the number keeps going up especially in school-aged children. Surveys reveal that 1 in every 4 parents have at least one child suffering from myopia and 75% of them were diagnosed between 3 and 12 years old. Myopia or nearsightedness is a common eye refractive error that occurs in both adults and children. With modern advancements in technology, patients are wondering if there is a cure for myopia. If there is no such thing as a cure, then they want to know if this can at least be treated. Let’s find out.

Is There A Cure for Myopia?

As of last year, sadly, there is no cure yet for nearsightedness. However, there are strategies and treatments that eye doctors have found to be effective in restoring vision problems. The success of these treatments relies mostly on age. Let’s understand myopia or nearsightedness more closely.

What Is Myopia or Nearsightedness?

Myopia otherwise known as nearsightedness is a refractive error wherein an individual can see objects that are near but couldn’t when they are far. Distant objects appear blurry. Why does this happen? Well, the reason behind this error is owed to eye shape. As your eyes develop, it will elongate or the eyeball’s surface may curve. This allows light rays to focus at a point in the front of your retina rather than on its surface.

How Is Nearsightedness Managed and Treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for nearsightedness but there are ways your eye doctor can manage the condition. Research and studies have proven and tested that these treatment methods are indeed successful. The treatments vary depending on your age and your eyes’ developmental stage. The following are strategies to manage myopia:

Laser Eye Surgery – myopia can be reversed through laser eye surgery. This type of laser helps reshape your corneal eye tissue to correct the defect. However, this treatment is not recommended for children below 18 years old.

Prescription Lenses – another method of correcting nearsightedness is through prescription lenses. Wearing contact lenses or corrective glasses will change your vision by altering where the light reaches the retina. When your glasses or lenses are on, images and objects that were once blurry will not be clear. How does it work? Prescription lenses will bend incoming light and allowing it to focus on the focal point of your retina.

Nearsightedness In Children

When children have myopia it’s quite different from adults because their eyes are still actively growing. The progression of the condition will only be slowed down once the growth stops. How do you manage children’s myopia?

Atropine Eye Drops – studies show that the use of atropine eye drops can dramatically slow the progress of nearsightedness in children. Two trials have been made in Asia and it showed that the use of atropine eyedrops slowed the progress of myopia by up to 60%. Since you can’t cure myopia, this treatment plan is often used with contact lenses and corrective glasses.

Orthokeratology

Another term for orthokeratology is ortho-k. This method uses gas permeable contacts to reshape your eyeballs when you’re sleeping so that in the morning when the lenses are taken away, you’ll have a clear vision even without using your glasses or contact lenses.

Takeaway

If you are having vision problems you must see an eye doctor immediately. Although this condition isn’t considered life-threatening, it may be hazardous if you’re driving or walking. Remember, your vision is important to keep you safe.