One of the most common vision problems today is a condition known as myopia. It affects nearly 30 % of the population, making it hard for patients to see distant objects. By learning more about this eye disorder, you can be alert to the causes, symptoms, and treatment just in case you start to experience it.
Let Opti-Care, your top choice for prescription contact lenses in Marriottsville, Maryland, explain everything you need to know about myopia (nearsightedness):
Causes of Myopia
Nearsighted people have a refractive error, which causes light rays to focus at a point in front of the retina rather than directly on its surface. In most cases, this error occurs as a result of the eyeball being too long or the curvature of the cornea being extreme. Sometimes it can be a combination of both factors.
Myopia also runs in families, so there is reason to believe it is partly genetic. Children who have one parent with myopia have a higher risk developing the condition. This risk compounds if both parents are nearsighted.
Signs and Symptoms
The most obvious symptom of myopia is blurry vision when looking at distant images. Kids may have trouble seeing the blackboard at school, while adults may find it hard to see street signs clearly while driving. Other signs like headaches, burning eyes, squinting, and eye fatigue may accompany the myopia, but they are not necessarily symptoms of myopia itself.
Treatment
The key to treating myopia efficiently is early detection through a complete eye exam. Eye exams in early childhood are very crucial if you or your partner is nearsighted. Most patients with myopia don’t have severe issues and will only ever need glasses or contact lenses to sharpen their vision.
At Opti-Care, you will need a multi focal eyeglasses or contact lenses exam in Sykesville, MD depending on your preferred treatment option. Refractive surgery is also a viable option for correcting myopia by reshaping the cornea to focus light onto the retina.
Schedule an appointment with Opti-Care today for your vision care needs. Fill out our online form or call us at (410) 795-8670 to get started.