Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a common refractive error that results in distant objects appearing blurry while close objects are seen clearly. Understanding the causes of this eye condition and exploring effective management strategies is essential for protecting your vision in a world where the prevalence of myopia continues to increase.
In this blog, we will explore the causes of myopia and the various methods available to manage and potentially correct this condition at McCormick Vision Source in Austin.
A Comprehensive Look at Myopia Causes
Myopia is caused by the eyeball being too long relative to the cornea and the lens' focusing power, which leads to light rays focusing in front of the retina rather than directly on it. This structural anomaly results in blurred distance vision. Several factors, including genetics and environmental influences, such as extensive near work and limited outdoor activity, contribute to the development and progression of myopia.
Can Myopia Be Cured?
Currently, there is no cure for myopia; however, there are several effective treatments for managing its progression and minimizing its impact on vision and long term eye health. The goal of myopia management is to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children and young adults, reducing the risk of serious ocular diseases later in life.
Effective Myopia Management & Control Strategies in Austin
Controlling myopia progression is crucial for nearsighted children and can even reduce the risk of developing serious sight-threatening diseases in adulthood. Our effective myopia management and control strategies are designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness and improve visual health through personalized treatments. This includes:
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- Glasses for Nearsightedness: Traditional glasses correct blurred vision by refocusing light directly onto the retina. Although they correct the symptoms of myopia, they do not halt its progression.
- Multifocal Eyeglasses: Designed with multiple prescriptions within the same lens, these glasses play a role in managing the progression of myopia. Research suggests that by altering the way light focuses on the retina, multifocals can help reduce the elongation of the eyeball.
- Myopia Control Contact Lenses (MiSight): These specialized multifocal soft contact lenses are designed for children and proven to slow the progression of myopia, much like multifocal glasses.
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Worn overnight, these lenses gently reshape the cornea, correcting myopia temporarily for clear day-time vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
- Atropine for Myopia Control: Low-dose atropine eye drops have been shown to significantly slow the progression of myopia in children by relaxing the eye’s focusing mechanism and reducing stress on the retina.
- Increased Outdoor Time and Visual Hygiene: Encouraging children to spend more time outdoors and take regular breaks from close-up activities can help manage the onset and progression of myopia.
Can LASIK Fix Nearsightedness?
For adults, LASIK surgery offers a potential long-term solution to correct myopia. This surgical procedure reshapes the cornea using an advanced laser, which allows light to focus correctly on the retina.
Should you desire visual freedom without undergoing LASIK, you might find that Ortho-K overnight lenses are an effective alternative. They involve the use of specially designed rigid gas-permeable contacts that you wear overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea while you sleep, resulting in clear daytime vision without the need for glasses or contacts.
This non-surgical method not only corrects nearsightedness temporarily but also has shown effectiveness in slowing the progression of myopia, especially in children and young adults.
<H2>Schedule a Myopia Consultation in Austin
While myopia cannot be cured, it can be effectively managed with current technologies and strategies at McCormick Vision Source in Austin to ensure early detection and effective treatment.