Giving Light On Understanding Nearsightedness

In the medical word, nearsightedness is called myopia. Now, it is the most common eye problem around the globe. It makes people see objects clearly only when they are near. The typical symptom is blurry vision. Understanding Nearsightedness allows one to do preventive measures against legal blindness.

This condition is easily the most neglected world health issue. It has slipped and soared seventh in rank on causes for blindness, reaching as far as the fourth in countries like Singapore and Hong Kong. With long line of ineffective treatment through the years, it has become one of the leading middle year crises.

It has even become endemic with little children becoming its victims. Over one third of children born with normal vision develop myopia during the school age. Many of these children’s vision deteriorate further to legal blindness. Highly literate Asian population has growing incidence of this disease, with about 90% college students affected.

Ironically, this condition can be easily corrected. Two things may have occurred in any myopia cases, an eyeball that has elongated or cornea that has over curvature. With either case, when the light enters the eye, it falls short before reaching the light sensitive retina. Correcting the curvature of the cornea or re-shape of the eyeball could be the solution to get the light stimuli on the retina.

Vision test is one of the exams done to check if the patient’s vision is defective. This test uses a standardized chart for reading letters. The patient is asked to stand 20 feet away from the chart to read the letters. If the patient can only read with ease the letters that normally can be read without strain as far as 80 feet, his vision is said to be 20/80.

Myopia is often prescribed with a set of prescription glasses. These glasses adjust the light’s focal point to reach the light sensitive retina. Although it helps to use prescription glasses, it may aggravate the condition causing the patient to need glasses with higher grade. Surgical procedure may be another means that could eliminate dependence on lens or glasses.

The most prescribed treatments for myopia are laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, photorefractive keratectomy, and corneal rings. In Photorefractive keratectomy or PRK, a laser is used to strip corneal tissues. Once the curvature is corrected, light rays that enter the eye may then be focused on the retina.

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis is popularly known as Lasik. This is a laser that is used to cut a flap on top of the cornea. After removing some corneal tissues underneath the flap, this same flap is re-placed. Today, this is the most common prescribed surgery for myopia.

Plastic corneal rings or sometimes called Intacs is a treatment option that does not require any corneal removal. Instead of surgery, this implant is placed under the edge of the cornea reshaping its curvature to correct mild myopia. Rings can be replaced or removed with simple and safe procedure.

Confidence in taking step for improvement can result through understanding nearsightedness. Since myopia can be prevented or cured, knowing the options help in making right decision regarding treatment. It also helps in creating preventive measure to stop the incidence of myopia in children and young adults.

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