Nearsightedness or Myopia is a refractive error in which faraway objects appear blurry for eyes. People with such an eye condition are able to see nearby objects clearly.
Symptoms of nearsightedness or Myopia
Myopia or Nearsightedness causes trouble looking at faraway objects. While looking at street signs, watching television etc. vision seems to blur. Common issues in children is reading the whiteboard at school.
Symptoms of nearsightedness can include:
- blurry vision when looking at faraway objects
- eye strain, which is when your eyes hurt or feel tired
- squinting in order to see far-off objects
- headaches
Sometimes mild myopia can be mistaken as normal vision.
By taking corrective measures such as using contact lenses or eye glasses, symptoms of myopia disappear. Eye fatigue or headaches might be experienced as it takes a week or two to adjust to your contact lens or eye glasses.
Sometimes blurred vision may be cause of serious conditions such as cataract, glaucoma or detached retina. In such conditions one must visit an eye doctor.
Risk factors for nearsightedness or Myopia
Anyone can develop nearsightedness.
However, myopia tends to develop in children and adolescents and may get worse as they approach their early 20s. Adults usually remain nearsighted if they have the condition as a child.
Risk factors for nearsightedness can include:
- Age. Myopia often begins between the ages of 6 and 14 and may continue to get worse until you reach your early 20s. Your eyes are growing at this age, so the shape of your eyes can change.
- Diabetes. Adults can become nearsighted due to certain health conditions, such as diabetes.
- Frequent visual stress. Doing close detailed work, such as on the computer or reading, may cause temporary nearsightedness. Over time, this can affect your distance vision permanently.
- Family history. Nearsightedness can be an inherited condition. If one or both of your parents are nearsighted, you’re more likely to be as well.
- Less time spent outdoors. Myopia may be less likely to develop in children who spend a lot of time outdoors.
Causes of myopia
Nearsightedness is caused by a refractive error. A refractive error occurs when your eye doesn’t focus light correctly.
In myopia the shape of the eye is slightly abnormal. In this condition, either the eyeball is too long or cornea is rounded. Because of such structural changes eye focuses light in font of the retina instead of onto it. Blurred vision is the result of eye focussing light in front of the retina. Retina is a surface that collects the light and changes it into electrical impulses that your brain reads as images.
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How nearsightedness is diagnosed
A simple or standard eye exam can diagnose your eye health and vision both. Its important to have a regular eye check-up for any eye condition including myopia.
A comprehensive eye exam can include tests on the following:
Medical history
Doctor usually go through your medical history or any specific medication you take.
Visual acuity
Reading letters and symbols on an eye chart in different sizes in one of the test.
Refraction test
To determine for lenses an eye doctor will check for any kind of refractive error using different kind of lenses and having you look through a machine.
Pupil exam
Bright light usually makes pupil shrink, so an eye doctor shall shine a bright light into your eyes to test the reaction of eyes whether the problem persists or not.
Peripheral vision test
Peripheral or side vision test, by having you look at the images through machine is one of the way to check for a sign of glaucoma, as if left untreated it can lead to blindness.
Eye movement test
Eye muscles control the eye movement, so this test is also necessary.
Eye pressure test
High eye pressure is usually a sign of glaucoma. A puff of air is released into your eyes to test your eye pressure.
Eye health and structure exam
Cornea is the front part of the eye. An eye doctor specifically for any scratches on cornea or any signs of cataract.
Retina and optic nerve exam
Dilation of eyes with the help of eye drops is done to widen the pupil. This allows to check for any kind of damage to the optical nerves or retina.
Treating and correcting nearsightedness or Myopia
To correct the refractive error or refocus the image onto the retina eyeglasses, corrective lenses or refractive surgery are most effective ways for treating myopia.
Corrective lenses
Corrective lenses such as eyeglasses or contact lenses help cornea shift the focus of light onto the retina as it enters your eye. These lenses are must to wear most of the times also depending on there prescription strength.
Surgery
Nowadays, for adults widely available laser eye surgery for correction of refractive error reshapes your cornea to focus light onto your retina.
This surgery is painless as your eyes are numbed with eye drops for carrying out the surgery. Except for few symptoms like burning, itching or bit of irritation is eyes might be experienced after the surgery.
After this surgery you don’t need to wear any type of corrective lenses.
Corneal reshaping therapy
An alternative therapy which flattens the cornea or temporarily change the shape of cornea known as orthokeratology or corneal reshaping therapy is also one of the corrective measures for treating myopia.
Eye drops
Low dose of atropine drops help in slowing down the progression of myopia in children.
You should consult your eye doctor immediately if you see blurred vision.
