- WHAT IS MYOPIA?
- TYPES OF MYOPIA
- SYMPTOMS OF MYOPIA
- CAUSES
- TREATMENT
- RISK FACTORS AND COMPLICATIONS OF MYOPIA
- CONCLUSION
WHAT IS MYOPIA?
Myopia is a refractive defect that causes objects far away to be blurred and objects close up to be seen well.
A person who does not suffer from any ocular abnormality and has a clear vision at all distances, the image coming from light entering from outside is focused exactly on the retina. People suffering from myopia have a different curvature of the eye than a person who does not suffer from any visual impairment and causes the light coming from outside to focus not exactly on the retina but in front of the retina. For this reason, the vision is blurred. The function of glasses is to put the image coming from outside focused on the retina.
Myopia usually affects both eyes, but not necessarily to the same extent.
This is one of the most common refractive problems. Generally if a person has myopia, it usually stabilizes around the age of 20. It can be associated with other vision problems, such as astigmatism and visual fatigue, and can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, ortho-K lenses or refractive surgery.
The axial length of the eye at birth is 14 mm. As they grow, the cornea and lens flatten and the eye length increases to an average of 23 mm in adults. Under normal conditions there is emmetropization of the eyes and the eyes remain at +0.50 diopters by early adolescence, reducing the risk of school myopia and adolescent myopia.
TYPES OF MYOPIA
- Axial elongation: the eyeball has a larger axial diameter and causes the image not to focus on the retina.
- Due to curvature: when the curvature of the cornea or crystalline lens causes the light not to focus on the retina.
- Cataract: there is a type of cataract that due to the opacity inside the crystalline lens causes the refracted light from the cornea to deviate and not focus on the retina.
- Congenital: it is a pathological myopia that usually appears at an early age and usually increases over many years even in adulthood. The main cause is genetic due to the axial diameter of the eyeball.
- Simple: it is the most common myopia. It is generally considered the myopia that is between -0.25 and around -6.00 diopters.
- Nocturnal: it is the myopia that arises when there is a lack of light and changes the pupil’s diameter because it affects the position of the image on the retina and it can be slightly blurred. When there is ambient light, the pupil returns to its usual diameter and the blurred vision disappears.
- Accommodative myopia: it is the myopia that arises mainly in children due to excessive accommodation when looking up close. The visual system relaxes when looking far away and creates a clear vision, but when we want to look at a close object such as a mobile device, the ciliary muscle of the eye is responsible for contracting involuntarily without realizing it and focus well on the object up close. What can happen when we spend a long time in front of a screen or looking at any object up close and you decide to look far away is that the muscle is not able to relax. At that moment, you see blurry and an accommodative spasm occurs. So it is a false myopia because the deficiency does not come from the anatomy of the eye (axial elongation) but muscular.
- Environmental: it occurs when excessive use is made of near vision, for example being 8 hours in front of a screen 40 cm from the nose or working with a microscope for many hours. In this case, it is very important to take breaks every 20 minutes to fixate a distant object for 30 seconds.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of myopia include:
- Distant objects appear blurry.
- Squinting to see better
- Visual fatigue.
- headache.
- Myopia often appears during school age, so children should watch for certain symptoms.:
- Difficulty seeing the board clearly.
- Hold the book steady while reading.
- Sitting right next to the television.
- Poor academic performance
CAUSES
Genetic: the hereditary factor is the main cause of myopia, especially if it is a direct antecedent, for example, if father and mother both have myopia, it is very likely that the children they have will also have myopia.
Pathological diseases: there are several ocular or non-ocular diseases that cause the appearance of myopia such as myopia caused by cataracts that we have mentioned above.
Environmental factors: as mentioned above, myopia can appear due to excessive eye accommodation.
TREATMENT
Myopia usually cannot be cured, but it can be corrected depending on the type:
simple myopia: it is corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Magna myopia: in addition to glasses or contact lenses, there may be the option of an operation where an intraocular lens is inserted or by laser surgery.
accommodative and environmental myopia: especially in children, it can be treated with vision therapy and/or pharmacological treatment to help control muscle contraction movements.
Treatment with glasses or contact lenses can be used in all types of myopia but it is not an option to make myopia disappear since it is not common for it to disappear unless it is of muscular origin as mentioned above.
Surgery is the only curative treatment to definitively eliminate myopia, although in many cases it may reappear after a few years:
Laser refractive surgery: This is the most widely used technique in myopia surgery due to its proven safety and efficacy.
In selected cases, there are also other surgical techniques such as the implantation of a phakic intraocular lens (without removing the crystalline lens) or the removal of the lens and implantation of an intraocular lens.
Laser refractive surgery is the most commonly used myopia surgery or technique to correct myopia.
| Treatment Option | Description | Pros | Cons |
| Glasses | Glasses with concave lenses correct myopia by refocusing light on the retina. | Easy to use, non-invasive, customizable lenses for different levels of myopia. | Glasses can get lost or damaged, may limit peripheral vision. |
| Contact Lenses | Soft or rigid lenses worn directly on the eye to correct vision. | Wider field of vision, no frames obstructing sight, suitable for active lifestyles. | Requires daily cleaning and care, can cause eye infections if not handled properly. |
| Refractive Surgery (LASIK) | Laser surgery reshapes the cornea to allow light to focus correctly on the retina. | Long-lasting results, reduced dependency on glasses or contacts. | Expensive, involves surgical risks, potential for dry eyes or night vision issues. |
| Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) | Special contact lenses worn overnight temporarily reshape the cornea to improve vision during the day. | Non-surgical, provides clear daytime vision without glasses or contacts. | Effects are temporary, must wear lenses every night, not suitable for severe myopia. |
| Myopia Control Lenses | Multifocal glasses or contact lenses designed to slow the progression of myopia in children. | Helps slow myopia progression, easy to incorporate into daily life. | Primarily preventative, may not fully stop myopia from worsening. |
“Myopia turns the faraway into a mystery, but it’s a reminder that not everything needs to be seen clearly to be understood.”
“Through blurred distances, myopia teaches us the value of perspective, for what is clear up close may still be far from complete.”
RISK FACTORS AND COMPLICATONS OF MYOPIA
| Risk Factors for Myopia | Complications of Untreated Myopia |
| Family History: Having one or both parents with myopia increases the risk of developing the condition. | Retinal Detachment: High levels of myopia can stretch the retina, increasing the risk of retinal detachment, which can lead to permanent vision loss. |
| Prolonged Close-up Work: Activities that involve close-up focus, such as reading, using computers, or mobile devices, may increase the risk of myopia. | Glaucoma: Near-sighted individuals have a higher risk of developing glaucoma, which increases pressure inside the eye and can damage the optic nerve. |
| Limited Outdoor Time: Lack of exposure to natural sunlight, especially in children, can increase the likelihood of developing myopia. | Cataracts: Severe myopia may accelerate the development of cataracts, which cloud the eye’s lens and may require surgical correction. |
| Urban Living: Studies have shown that children living in urban environments, where screen time and close-up work are more prevalent, have higher rates of myopia. | Macular Degeneration: In severe cases, myopia can increase the risk of macular degeneration, which damages the central part of the retina, leading to vision loss. |
| Age of Onset: Myopia often begins in childhood, and early onset may lead to more severe progression as the eye continues to grow. | Impaired Quality of Life: Severe uncorrected myopia can interfere with daily activities, such as driving, and reduce overall quality of life. |
CONCLUSION
Near-sightedness, or myopia, is a common condition that can affect quality of life if left untreated. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for myopia is crucial for managing the condition effectively. Whether using glasses, contact lenses, or opting for surgery, individuals with myopia can enjoy clear vision with the right treatment. Preventive measures such as reducing screen time, increasing outdoor activities, and regular eye exams can help slow the progression of near-sightedness and maintain eye health in the long term.
FAQS
Can myopia be prevented?
While myopia cannot be entirely prevented, its progression can be slowed by spending more time outdoors, limiting screen time, and getting regular eye checkups to manage early symptoms.
Can myopia worsen over time?
Yes, myopia can worsen over time, especially during childhood and adolescence when the eyes are still growing. Regular eye exams are important to monitor changes in vision and adjust prescriptions as needed.