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Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia

WHAT IS MYOPIA?

Do you face difficulty reading distant signboards? Are you unable to make out who is waving at you across the street? Is it impossible for you to see what’s written on the blackboard from the last row of seats? If you're facing these common problems, you might benefit from a myopia diagnosis and treatment.

According to studies, approximately 186 million people are currently affected by myopia globally. This figure is estimated to increase to about 200 million by 2050 (2,5). Nearsightedness is a particularly prevalent condition in young people and children and usually starts between 6 and 14 (4). Early myopia treatment will help decrease eye strain in children during their learning years and prevent future sight problems.

 

Taking a closer look at myopia

Myopia or nearsightedness is a common eye condition in which a person is unable to see distant objects clearly or faces difficulty while reading words from far away distances. Normally, the eye’s lens and cornea focus light into an image on the retina. In nearsightedness, this light is focused in front of the retina, causing a blurry image or vision while looking at distant objects and the need to squint while looking at faraway objects (3). Myopia treatments such as glasses and contact lenses focus on aiding people to see faraway objects.

 

The causes of myopia

There are numerous causes of myopia. The size and shape of the eyeball, the cornea’s focusing power and the eye’s lens are all contributing factors.

Nearsightedness is sometimes an anatomical issue resulting from a long eyeball that prevents the lights from focusing directly on your retina. Myopia can also be caused by an eye lens that is too convex or curved. According to scientists, nearsightedness might also be a genetic condition that is passed down to children from their parents (1). Some other conditions include staying indoors for extended time periods and visual stress from using computer screens or excessive reading. Other causes also include poor metabolism, poor light, poor diet and poor posture.

 

Common symptoms of myopia

A nearsighted test can help an optometrist evaluate whether you are myopic and guide you on how to treat your nearsightedness. Some common symptoms of myopia that you can keep a check on include (3):

  • Blurry vision while looking at distant objects
  • The need to squint or partially close your eyelids to see clearly
  • Eyestrain and headaches
  • Excessive blinking


If you are struggling with any of these symptoms, it’s best to book an eye test to prevent unnecessary eyestrain and get an expert myopia diagnosis as soon as possible.

How to correct or treat nearsightedness

The first step in the treatment of myopia is preparing for an eye test with an optometrist and then understanding how to correct nearsightedness in your specific case.

Myopia or nearsightedness treatments usually involve being prescribed glasses, prescription sunglasses or contact lenses. Depending on the degree of your myopia, you may need to wear your glasses continuously or occasionally when you need to see distant objects like blackboards, road signs, or movie screens.

Myopia treatments may vary based on your profession, especially if you’re a swimmer, firefighter, pilot, or construction worker. If you work in any of these fields or face any of the symptoms mentioned above, get rid of the fear of eye tests and book an insurance-covered eye check-up to start your myopia treatment journey with an eye expert as early as today.

Feel empowered with better vision at 1001 Optometry

At 1001 Optometry, we specialise in myopia diagnosis and treatment for all age groups. With over 25 years of enabling people to see the world better, our trusted optometrists will guide you on how to correct your nearsightedness by providing you with premium product solutions suitable to you.
Facing vision issues other than myopia? Don’t worry. At 1001 Optometry, we have an expansive range of reading glasses, progressive lenses and luxury designer eye frames for different vision requirements. If you’re wondering if you need reading glasses or have any other questions about our eye tests and products, get in touch with our team of eye experts today.

FAQs

How can I tell if I am nearsighted?

Those with myopia experience difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, such as reading road signs, signboards, classroom boards or scoreboards during sports games. It is also difficult to drive at night or recognise people at a distance.

You should also get a myopia or nearsightedness test if you experience any of the other common symptoms, including eye strain, headaches, squinting and fatigue. You can’t fix nearsightedness at home, so it’s best to get an optometrist's Medicare-approved eye test as soon as you start noticing these symptoms.

Is myopia prevalent in children?

Myopia usually develops in the early teenage years and gets worse over the following few years. While younger children might not be able to tell if they are facing sight issues, the symptoms of nearsightedness you can notice in your child include:

  • Difficulty in reading distant signs and blackboards
  • Improper posture while reading
  • Lack of interest in playing outdoor sports
  • Blinking or rubbing eyes frequently
  • Needing to move closer to tv screens

If you observe any of the above symptoms, consult an optometrist immediately to correct or fix nearsightedness in your child.

How can you prevent nearsightedness in children?

As a parent, a few steps you can take to keep your child’s eyes healthy and prevent myopia include making sure your child spends more time outdoors, limiting their screen time on computers, phones and tablets and balancing their screen time with their outdoor time. You can also ensure that your child eats a diet rich in Vitamin A, B1 and C to help take care of their eye health in the long run.

Can myopia be cured?

Nearsightedness can’t be completely cured, but it can definitely be treated. Fixing myopia is done with the help of prescription spectacles, contact lenses or refractive surgery. Prescribed glasses or contact lenses are based on the degree of your myopia. They enable you to have a clear distance vision depending on your daily use and routine activities such as driving or watching movies.

The other way to fix nearsightedness is refractive laser surgery. During this surgery, the eye’s front surface is reshaped to help correct myopia. Although laser surgery might not be the best option for everyone, technology is constantly improving. A professional optometrist will be able to advise you about corrective treatments for myopia that are suitable for your circumstances.

I'm wondering how to prevent myopia - what can I do?

Although there is no way to ensure complete nearsightedness prevention, there are a few steps you can take to control myopia or decrease the progression of myopia in adulthood, including:

  • Have your eyes checked regularly
  • Protect your eyes from the sun and its harsh UV rays
  • Prevent eye injuries by wearing protective eye gear
  • Use good lighting for better vision
  • Eat healthy diets rich in Vitamin A, B1, C and E
  • Reduce eyestrain by taking breaks from the screen or reading

If you notice any signs of squinting or strain, contact an optometrist as early as possible to prevent it from escalating into more severe eye problems in the future.

  References

  1. American Optometric Association, n.d., Myopia, American Optometric Association. accessed on 29 March 2022 <https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/myopia?sso=y>
  2. Matsumura, S., Ching-Yu, C. and Saw, S., 2019. Global Epidemiology of Myopia. Updates on Myopia, pp.27-51.
  3.  Mayo Clinic, 2022, Nearsightedness - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic, accessed 29 March 2022, <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nearsightedness/symptoms-causes/syc-20375556>
  4. National Eye Institute, 2020, Nearsightedness (Myopia), National Eye Institute, accessed on 29 March 2022, <https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/nearsightedness-myopia>
  5. University of New South Wales, 2022. The Impact of Myopia and High Myopia. Report of the Joint World Health Organization - Brien Holden Vision Institute Global Scientific Meeting on Myopia. Sydney: University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 16-18 March 2015, accessed on 29 March 2022, <https://www.who.int/blindness/causes/MyopiaReportforWeb.pdf>
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