Myopia Treatment Options

Myopia, also known as near or short-sightedness, is the most common cause of blurred vision in the United States. It occurs when you are able to see objects close to you fairly easily, but those at a distance appear blurred. For example, you may be able to read your book or watch videos on a handheld device and enjoy clear vision but notice that reading signs or watching a screen that is far away is harder as the images appear to be blurred or distorted.

Myopia is a refractive eye condition. This means is it caused by a problem with the way that light passes through the natural lens of the eye (the cornea) and hits the light-sensitive cells of the retina at the back of the eye. The retina converts the light that reaches it into signals, which are passed up to the brain which tells us what we can see. When the light doesn’t hit the retina properly, the message that reaches the brain is garbled and is interpreted as blurred vision. In patients with myopia, the light that enters the eye via the cornea is focused too quickly, falling short of the retina rather than on it.

Having myopia may be inconvenient, but there are plenty of options to choose from that will enable your vision to be corrected. Here’s what you need to know about the different treatment options for myopia.
 

Prescription Glasses

Glasses remain the most popular treatment choice for patients with myopia, as well as other refractive eye conditions. Situated on the face, you can select a style of frame that suits your face shape, coloring and overall appearance and these will have your prescription lenses placed into them. Every prescription lens is created specifically to your requirements, with the powers needed to correct your vision and the lens type and coating as per your preferred specification. For example, you may choose tinted lenses, anti-glare coating, anti-scratch coating, or even transition lenses which act as both regular and sunglasses by changing color when you move between different levels of light.

Glasses are a good choice for patients whose myopia is still developing and who may need different prescription lenses every 6-12 months to reflect this. The good news is that the frames can be kept and just the lenses replaced as needed.
 

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are a very popular alternative to glasses, particularly since they do not change the appearance of your face in any way. This is because, unlike prescription lenses, contact lenses sit directly onto the surface of the eye. This makes them more convenient for many patients, particularly those that participate in activities where regular glasses are unsuitable – such as swimming or contact sports.

In the past, contact lenses weren’t deemed suitable for those patients with corneal abnormalities or other eye problems. However, there are now more different types of contact lenses than ever before, including specialty lenses that are designed specifically to accommodate those patients for whom conventional contacts are unsuitable.
 

Laser Vision Correction

Laser vision correction surgery offers patients a way to permanently alter their vision. The process involves using safe, effective laser technology to reshape the cornea so that light is refracted correctly by the cornea onto the retina. Most patients who opt for laser vision correction find that they have little to no reliance on prescription eyewear afterward, and this means that despite the initial cost, laser vision correction can prove to be an invaluable investment in their eyesight. Laser vision correction is irreversible and only recommended for patients with a stable vision whose prescription hasn’t changed in some time. There are several different techniques available, and you will be able to discuss what each involves at your consultation.
 

Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology is a very new and innovative treatment for myopia. The technique involves the use of specially designed contact lenses that are worn overnight and work by reshaping the cornea whilst you sleep. When you remove the lenses in the morning, the cornea maintains its shape for a number of hours during the day, meaning that patients aren’t reliant on glasses or contact lenses for clear vision. The treatment is progressive, and so you will need to wear the lenses overnight for anywhere up to two weeks to obtain the maximum improvement in your vision and the longest period of time where your vision is clear without the need for prescription eyewear. Orthokeratology is completely reversible, meaning that when you stop treatment, your vision will return to how it was before. Orthokeratology can be used by patients of all ages, even children.

If you have been diagnosed with myopia, our expert eye care team would be happy to discuss the various treatment options with you to help you find the variety that best suits your requirements. Please contact us to schedule a consultation.