Nearsightedness has become one of the most common refractive errors and more people are being afflicted by this condition. A recent study published by NEI (National Eye Institute) reveals an alarming trend which shows an increase in myopia in the US population from 25% in 1971-1972 to a massive 41.6% in 1999-2004. Even though the direct cause of this vision problem has yet to be defined, many doctors believe an increase in the median age of the population and/or the fatigue caused by using a computer other extensive vision related tasks may have something to do with it.
Symptoms of nearsightedness
*The earliest sign of being affected by nearsightedness is difficulty in reading road signs and the inability to see distant objects clearly. However, you would be able to perform close-up chores like reading, watching TV, etc. without any trouble.
*Another sign of myopia is a spike in headaches and feeling vision strain. This is especially observed while driving or playing sports that require concentration. If you observe that you are squinting to look at something at a distance to see it clearly, then it is time to get your vision tested. Sugarland Eye & Laser Center in Houston is highly regarded for their diagnosis of vision related problems.
*Feeling excessive strain when you wear glasses is another common and early sign of myopia. You need to get a comprehensive eye examination for the early diagnosis of the condition so that you can get appropriate treatment.
*If you are experiencing difficulty while driving at night, it may also be a sign of myopia.
It has been often seen that early signs of myopia can emerge from childhood and most commonly become diagnoses through the teenage years. If your child is:
*Squinting to see clearly
*Sitting closer to watch TV or in the classroom
*Holding books closely to read properly
*Blinking a lot
*Rubbing their eyes frequently
Treatment of myopia
There are many stop-gap arrangements that can help you fix the problem of nearsightedness like glasses or contact lenses. However, for a permanent solution, you may need a refractive surgery which can be recommended by your eye doctor. With a laser eye surgery procedure, you would be able to eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. The most common treatment method is performed using an excimer laser.
*PRK surgery removes the corneal tissue layer, thus flattening the cornea so that the light can focus more precisely on the retina.
*LASIK on the other hand, creates a thin flap on the corneal surface. A laser is used to remove corneal tissue and the flap is adjusted back to its original position.
*Orthokeratology is a non-surgical process where the patient sleeps with a special RGP, also known as Rigid Gas Permeable, lenses at night that reshape the cornea while the patient is sleeping. When these lenses are removed in the morning, the cornea is reshaped for the short term that the patient can see clearly in the day without using contact lenses or eyeglasses.
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nearsightedness/basics/symptoms/con-20027548
http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/tc/nearsightedness-myopia-topic-overview
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/myopia.htm
Sugarland Eye & Laser Center leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The Center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Sugarland Eye & Laser Center, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478 or visit us at www.houston-lasik.com.
About the Author
Amjad Khokhar, M.D. is Chief LASIK Surgeon at Sugarland Eye & Laser Center. Add Dr. Khokhar on Google+ here.
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