Myopia: Nearsightedness

 Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error where distant objects appear blurry while close objects are seen clearly. It is one of the most common vision disorders globally, affecting people of all ages.

Causes of Myopia

1. Elongation of the Eyeball

   
   
   

   • The eyeball grows too long from front to back, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

2. Curvature of the Cornea or Lens

   • A cornea or lens that is too curved for the length of the eyeball can also lead to myopia.

3. Genetic Factors

   • Family history of myopia increases the likelihood of developing the condition.

4. Environmental Factors

   • Prolonged near work (e.g., reading, screen use).

   • Limited time spent outdoors during childhood.

Symptoms of Myopia

• Blurry Vision for distant objects (e.g., road signs, classroom boards).

• Squinting or Eye Strain to improve focus.

• Headaches due to excessive eye strain.

• Difficulty Seeing at Night (night myopia).

Diagnosis

Myopia is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination, which includes:

1. Visual Acuity Test

   • Measures the clarity of vision using an eye chart.

2. Refraction Test

   • Determines the lens prescription needed to correct vision.

3. Retinal Examination

   • Assesses the health of the retina and checks for complications.

Treatment Options

1. Corrective Lenses

• Eyeglasses: Most common and simplest method to correct myopia.

• Contact Lenses: Provide a wider field of vision compared to glasses.

2. Refractive Surgery

• LASIK: Reshapes the cornea to correct the refractive error.

• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): Removes a layer of the cornea to improve focus.

• SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction): A minimally invasive procedure to reshape the cornea.

3. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

• Specialized contact lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea and reduce myopia during the day.

4. Medications

• Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine has shown effectiveness in slowing the progression of myopia in children.

Complications of Myopia

1. High Myopia

   • Severe myopia can increase the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

2. Impaired Quality of Life

   • Difficulty with daily activities such as driving or sports.

Prevention and Management

1. Lifestyle Adjustments

   • Spend more time outdoors, particularly in childhood.

   • Limit screen time and take regular breaks during near work (follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds).

2. Regular Eye Exams

   • Early detection and management can prevent complications.

3. Myopia Control Techniques

   • Use of specially designed contact lenses or glasses to slow progression.

Living with Myopia

Most people with myopia lead normal, active lives with the help of corrective measures. Advances in treatments and myopia control strategies have made it easier to manage the condition and reduce its impact on quality of life.