Myopia, commonly called nearsightedness, is the inability to see objects that are far away from you. It affects about 50 percent of the world's population. That's 3.8 billion people!
The condition can be corrected with contact lenses, eyeglasses, laser surgery, or may be controlled in children with eye drops.
What Causes Myopia?
Myopia occurs when the eyeball is abnormally elongated. This causes a refractive error, meaning objects viewed from distance are blurry. The object comes into better focus as it becomes closer. As a practical example, you would not be able to read a street sign clearly from a distance, but the letters would come into focus as you got closer.
What Is the Treatment for Myopia?
Prescriptive lenses in eyeglasses or contacts are the primary methods to treat myopia.
Eyeglasses are the easiest way to sharpen your vision. A wide variety of eyeglass frames are available, and lenses include single-vision as well as specialty lenses that allow you to both see clearly at a distance and up close.
Contact lenses sit directly on your eye. They are available in many materials, including multifocal designs. Our doctors can discuss the type of contact lenses that would be best for your eyes.
Myopia is corrected only when you're wearing the lenses. When you take off your glasses or remove your contacts, you will not be able to see clearly at a distance.
Myopia Control
In children whose myopia is progressing rapidly we may offer contact lenses or eye drops as a treatment to slow down this progression.
Surgery for Myopia
Many people opt for laser surgery to permanently correct myopia. Technically called refractive surgery, the procedure eliminates or reduces your need for prescriptive lenses.
