Can Myopia Be Reversed?

Myopia is a refractive error that is characterized by the ability to see nearby objects clearly, while ones further away appear blurred. It is the most common refractive eye error in the world, and the number of people experiencing the condition is rising every year.

Myopia is also a progressive condition. This means that your vision will continue to get worse unless you seek treatment. While there isn’t currently a cure for myopia, there are treatments that can restore your distance vision.

Prescription Lenses

Prescription eyewear is the most common treatment that people choose to correct their myopia. These lenses alter the way that light passes through the eye, correcting it so that it hits the retina at the back of the eye correctly. In doing so, the messages sent from the retina to the brain are clear, improving your distance vision.

Your eye doctor will perform a series of tests to determine what your prescription will be. It’s important to note that a prescription for glasses lenses will be different from that for contact lenses since glasses sit a short distance in front of the eyes rather than directly on their surface. You’ll be able to decide if you would prefer to wear glasses or contact lenses.

Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology, or ortho-k as it is often referred to, is an innovative new treatment for the control of myopia, and it has been proven to be very effective at slowing or even halting its progression. These bespoke contact lenses are worn while you sleep, reshaping your cornea into the shape needed to correct your vision. However, many people are surprised to discover that when you use your ortho-k lenses regularly, your eyes start to learn to retain the shape that they take when you sleep. This will enable you to see clearly when you remove the lenses in the morning, and you will be able to continue with clear vision for a number of hours. Some patients find that with consistent use, they are able to maintain clear vision without prescription glasses or contact lenses for the duration of an entire day.

Laser Vision Correction

One of the most effective treatments for reversing myopia is laser vision correction, also known as laser eye surgery. While there are several different types of laser vision correction, it’s LASIK that is most well-known.

Laser vision correction is a very safe, minimally invasive procedure that involves using the latest laser technology to reshape the surface of the eye. Since every patient is different, the laser is pre-programmed with the specific information needed to alter the shape of the cornea. The cornea is the clear, domed shell that covers the front part of the eye. It takes just a few minutes per eye and is completely painless.

At the current time, laser vision correction is the only treatment with which you can permanently counteract the effects of myopia and enjoy drastically improved if not perfectly clear vision.

If you have concerns about myopia and would like to speak to someone about your options for treatment, please don’t hesitate to make an appointment with our friendly and knowledgeable team at Eastern Virginia Eye Associates in Chesapeake, Virginia by calling (757) 607-4800 today.