Here’s a detailed overview of myopia (nearsightedness) — what causes it, how it’s diagnosed, treated, risks, and ways to slow its progression.
What is Myopia?
- Myopia means distant objects appear blurry, while close objects are seen clearly.
- It happens when light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina instead of directly on it. That can be due to:
- The eyeball being too long (axial elongation)
- The cornea or lens being too curved or powerful for the length of the eyeball.
Symptoms
Some common signs are:
- Blurry vision when looking at things far away (e.g. signs, TV, board in class)
- Squinting to try to see distant objects better
- Eye strain, tired eyes, headaches
- In children: sitting close to the TV or desk, holding things very near to see them, trouble reading the board in school
Risk Factors / Causes
Myopia doesn’t have a single cause — it’s usually a mix of genetic and environmental factors.
- Genetics: If parents are myopic, children have higher chance.
- Environmental / lifestyle:
• Prolonged near work (reading, screens)
• Less time outdoors seems linked with more myopia or faster progression.
• Poor lighting may contribute.
Types / Severity
- Myopia is often categorized by its degree (how “strong” the prescription is): mild, moderate, high.
- High myopia (strong negative diopter) increases risks of complications.
Diagnosis
- Eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Includes measuring visual acuity, refraction (to find the lens power needed), checking the shape of the eye (length, cornea curvature) if necessary.
- Sometimes “dilated” eye exam to look at the retina if the myopia is high or progressing rapidly.
Treatment / Correction
There is no “cure” that reverses myopia permanently in all cases, but many effective ways to correct vision and slow progression:
- Eyeglasses: Most common, safe, easy.
- Contact lenses: Soft or rigid, depending; for some people, special contact lenses can help slow progression.
- Refractive surgery: For adults (when vision is stable) — LASIK, PRK, etc. These reshape the cornea to correct where the light focuses.
- Low-dose atropine eye drops: In children, atropine drops (very weak concentrations) have been shown to slow down the rate of myopia increase.
Risks & Complications
If myopia is moderate to high and/or not managed well, there can be several risks:
- Greater risk of eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment.
- More strain on the retina, which can lead to vision impairment.
- Quality of life issues: trouble with driving at night, difficulty in class, needing stronger prescriptions, etc.
Prevention / Slowing Progression
While you may not always be able to prevent myopia, there are measures shown to help slow its onset or worsening, especially in children:
- Spend more time outdoors; exposure to natural light seems protective.
- Limit continuous close work; take breaks. (For example, the “20-20-20 rule”: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.)
- Ensure good lighting when reading or using devices.
- Regular eye exams to detect changes early.
- Use of special optical devices or treatments (orthokeratology lenses, multifocal lenses) under supervision.