Myopia is a disorder where the person faces difficulty in seeing distant objects. He can see near objects clearly but can’t see far objects like highway signals etc. Lots of people face myopia however it can be corrected using eyeglasses or surgery. The number of myopia cases is increasing especially in children and teenagers. According to some research, the percentage may increase more in the coming decades. Today most kids spend a lot of time watching smartphones and PCs. Engaging in these near activities for hours increases the risk of developing myopia. Usually, myopia can be corrected using glasses, lenses, or surgery. But if a person develops serious degenerative myopia; he may get blind. However, the chances of getting degenerative myopia are very less.
What are the causes of myopia?
Myopia can occur due to heredity. If a child has myopia, one or both of his parents may have the same disorder. The exact cause behind myopia is unknown but it can occur due to heredity and some environmental factors. Reading, watching TV, phone, or computer screen closely can develop myopia. This eye disorder usually appears in childhood but the condition may worsen with age.
High Myopia
This is a serious condition where the eyeballs grow more than normal and become very long front to back. Due to this, it becomes hard to see distant images. High myopia can also lead to cataracts, detached retina, and glaucoma.
Degenerative Myopia
Degenerative or malignant myopia is a rare type of myopia and usually occurs due to heredity. The eyeballs get longer which causes severe myopia. This condition usually appears during the teenage or early adult years. Degenerative can get worse with time. Along with difficulty in seeing, there are chances of having abnormal blood vessel growth or detached retina.
What are the symptoms of myopia?
The most common symptom is difficulty in seeing far objects. Far objects like sign boards seem blurred. There are also some other symptoms of myopia:
Eyestrain
Headaches
Squinting
Eye fatigue
Trouble in reading from the whiteboard
Treatment options for myopia
The most common way to correct myopia is through contact lenses and glasses. Lenses and glasses are helpful for both adults and children. However, surgeries are usually suggested only to adults. Doctors suggest surgery for kids only when the condition is severe. In myopia, the glasses or lenses will have negative numbers.
Eyeglasses
Most people use eyeglasses to correct myopia disorder. Your doctor will suggest you wear eyeglasses daily or while seeing distance vision depending on your vision condition. Some people need glasses only while driving. Kids with myopia need glasses to see the whiteboard or while playing ball. If the condition is moderate or severe, the doctor may ask you to wear glasses constantly. A single vision lens that helps to see distant objects. But when a person is over 40, he may need a progressive or bifocal lens.
Contact lenses
Alternative options for eyeglasses are contact lenses. Some people don’t like wearing eyeglasses publicly as they find glasses don’t suit their image. They use contact lenses to get a clear vision of distant objects. But there is a demerit of contact lenses; you need to take care of them. You have to clean them regularly and wearing them for a long time may irritate the eyes.
LASIK
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis procedure is a common surgery for myopia. The surgeon uses a laser to cut the flap through the cornea’s top and reshare the inner corneal tissues. Then the surgeon will drop the flap back into the place.
LASEK
In the Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy procedure, the ophthalmologist uses a laser to cut the flap through the epithelium of the cornea to reshape the outer layers and then closes the flap. Some other surgeries are also available for myopia such as PRK, Phakic intraocular lenses, and intraocular lens implant.
Way to reduce myopia naturally
Eye exercises
Certain eye exercises are very effective to treat myopic conditions. Your doctor will recommend some eye exercises along with some medications to reduce myopia.
Natural medications
You can take natural medicines to treat your myopia. You can talk to a holistic doctor in NJ and get a good natural treatment for this eye disorder. The doctor may also ask for some changes in daily routine along with the medicines for better results. This medication may take more time but is fully safe.
Don’t let your kid use phone often
Today most kids use smartphones from a very young age. These smart devices help the kids to gain information from around the globe. However, using a phone a lot can also cause lots of physical and mental issues. Limit the use of phones, PC, or watching TV. If your kid has myopia, these things will make the condition worse.
Eat healthy diet
Good food can reduce eye disorder issues. If you have myopia, take food items that are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and lutein. If you are unable to get essential nutrients from your diet, consider taking supplements.