Myopia is a vision condition that makes distant objects appear blurry. It is also known as shortsightedness or nearsightedness. It mainly affects children, but even adults can have it.

 

A shortsighted person can read clearly without eyeglasses but cannot drive or recognize faces across the room. It can be frustrating, but it can get treated if caught early. However, if not diagnosed early, it can progress even to cause blindness.

 

More importantly, it can cause various eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment. It is, therefore, imperative for you or your child to visit an optometrist regularly for checkups. That way, your doctor can catch it early enough to find a management plan.

 

Here are several frequently asked questions to help you understand myopia and manage it:

 

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Myopia?

The first symptom of myopia is blurred vision when looking at distant objects. You will find your child or yourself squinting when reading or looking at far objects. You will find that you get frequent and persistent headaches, and also, you can hardly watch TV or read a book without holding it close.

 

What Are Some of the Management or Treatment Options for Shortsightedness?

In most cases, an optometrist prescribes contact lenses or eyeglasses for better vision. The glasses and lenses are to help focus the blurred images onto the retina for clear vision. But, wearing corrective glasses or lenses is not a cure. It is only a way to manage the condition.

 

Also, eye specialists may suggest the use of atropine eye drops or orthokeratology. If the symptoms persist, you might have to go through a surgical procedure known as LASIK eye surgery.

 

How Do You Know Which Is the Best Management Option?

There are different treatment methods, but that does not mean that all are perfect for you or your child. It would be best if you underwent a detailed eye examination to check your eye length, pupil size, and eye shape to determine the best method for you. An experienced eye specialist can help you get the best treatment or management option.

 

Can You Prevent Myopia from Developing?

There is no way to prevent myopia since its development depends on your environment and genes. But, you can prevent it from getting worse. You can use contact lenses or eyeglasses as prescribed by your doctor. As much as they won’t cure the condition, they will make your vision better.

 

When Should Myopia Management or Treatment Start?

In most cases, myopia generally worsens through the teen years. Thus, it is best to start controlling it at the early stages or as soon as symptoms start developing. As an adult, eyes hardly change as they do when you are young, and so, it is only best to manage it when young.

 

To find out more about myopia management, contact Look Optometry in Manhattan Beach, California at (310) 796-5665.