Myopia

A common eye disorder that is mostly diagnosed before the age of 20 is called myopia (also known as nearsightedness). It often negatively affects distance vision (the inability to view objects that are farther away, including a grocery store, road signs, and others). Usually, doctors recommend glasses, contact lenses, or surgery to treat myopia.

Furthermore, myopia is a type of eye focus disorder that negatively affects a lot of people worldwide. According to some research, it affects about 40% of people in the United States. Some experts suggest that this condition will continue to affect more people in future decades. Additionally, healthcare providers think that children who spend a lot of time in “near” activities (including reading, using smartphones, and computers) could play a role in myopia.

Types of Myopia

Healthcare professionals specialized in diagnosing and treating eye disorders have divided this condition into simple myopia and pathologic myopia (previously called degenerative myopia). While people with simple type can correct their vision with eyeglasses or contact lenses, those who suffer from pathologic myopia often need surgery to correct their vision.

What Are The Symptoms of Myopia?

In most cases, myopia is mild and can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Check some general symptoms of this eye disorder below:

Eye strain
Squinting
Headaches
Tiredness, especially when driving, playing sports, or looking more than a few feet away
Distant objects appear blurry or fuzzy

There are some symptoms of myopia that you can watch for in your children. Examples include:

Shortened attention span
Poor performance in school
Holding objects close to their face

Do not hesitate to see a doctor if any of the previous symptoms appear. Leaving this condition untreated may cause a gradual loss of vision.

Causes and Risk Factors

Healthcare professionals do not fully understand what exactly causes this eye condition. However, they believe that a combination of hereditary and environmental factors causes it. Moreover, it is possible to inherit the ability to be myopic, and under the right conditions, you will develop it. Commonly, myopia appears and may worsen in early childhood.

While anyone can develop myopia, doctors have found some factors that could increase your risk. Examples include:

Family history – If one or both of your parents have myopia, your risk of developing it significantly increases.
Continuously doing work (including reading or using screens on smartphones or computers).
Do not spend a lot of time outdoors
Ethnicity – There are some groups of people who have increased chances of developing myopia compared to others.

What Are The Potential Complications of Myopia?

In some cases, myopia can cause more serious eye disorders, especially if it is left untreated. Check some examples below:

Cataracts
Glaucoma
Optic neuropathy
Retinal detachment
Neovascularization (development of unwanted blood vessels in the eye)

This article does not contain all possible complications. However, your doctor may help reduce the risk or even prevent them. You should immediately call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER) if you experience any of the following symptoms. Examples include sudden blurred vision, central dark spots (scotomas), or flashes of light in the peripheral vision.

Is There a Way to Prevent Myopia?

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this condition because most of the time it runs in families. However, you can reduce the risk in some ways. According to some studies, you can reduce the risk of myopia by reducing the time your child spends in front of screens.

Diagnosis

Usually, doctors begin the diagnosis of myopia with an eye examination to check for irregularities linked to the disease. While it is usually diagnosed during childhood, in some cases, myopia can happen during adulthood due to visual stress or diabetes. However, to confirm or rule out myopia, doctors will perform the following tests. Examples include:

Visual acuity testing – This test is used to determine how well you read letters on an eye chart.
Refractive error testing – During this procedure, doctors will use a phoropter to measure the amount of your refractive errors. This test may also determine the category of myopia, including mild, moderate, or high myopia.

Treatment

While in children, myopia is corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but for adults only, doctors may recommend some surgeries to correct myopia. Generally, the prescription for glasses or contact lenses is a negative number (such as -3.00). When this number is higher, the stronger lenses will be. Check some common treatments often recommended by doctors for people with myopia:

Ortho-k or CRT – Sometimes, doctors recommend this treatment for people with mild myopia. It involves temporary corneal refractive contact lenses that you wear to reshape the cornea.
LASIK – This is a laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis procedure that ophthalmologists use to cut a flap through the top of the cornea. Furthermore, this is one of the most common procedures for correcting myopia.
LASEK – It is a laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy procedure used to cut a flap through only the top layer of the cornea (epithelium). It helps reshape the cornea’s outer layer.
PRK – It is a type of laser eye surgery that helps treat mild to moderate myopia. Sometimes, it can be used to treat astigmatism. During this procedure, the ophthalmologist will cut the front surface of the cornea and use a laser to reshape it.
Phakic intraocular lenses – This treatment is an option for people with high myopia or for those who have thin corneas and PRK or LASIK are not options. During this treatment, doctors will place the lenses inside the eye (in front of the natural lens).
Intraocular lens implant – During this treatment, an ophthalmologist will insert a new lens in the eye, replacing the natural one. Commonly, it is performed before a cataract appears.
Vision therapy – This therapy is recommended when spasms of focusing muscles cause myopia. It helps strengthen the muscles through different exercises.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to prevent worsening of myopia?

Healthcare professionals may advise the following tips to support overall eye health. Check some of them below:

Do not read or work in dim light
Wear protective eye gear
Quit smoking – If you face problems with smoking cessation, discuss it with your physician.
Regular eye examinations
Wear sunglasses when you are out
Reduce the time you spend on digital devices

What foods should I eat to keep my eyes healthy?

Generally, nutrition is vital to your child’s vision as their eyes are growing and developing. You and your child should eat foods rich in the following vitamins. For example:

Vitamin A – It is important to get enough vitamin A from your diet because it helps maintain eye and vision health. Certain plant-based options include sweet potatoes, leafy green vegetables, and carrots. You can also choose animal-based products, such as cheese, oily fish, or liver.
Vitamin C – To get the daily dose of vitamin C, you should add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. For example, grapefruit, strawberries, broccoli, oranges, and others.
Lutein – To get enough lutein, you should make sure you eat enough green vegetables. It helps the eyes filter harmful blue light that can cause damage to the retina.

Does myopia get worse with age?

In some cases, this condition may worsen with age, especially during growth spurts during the teen years. Myopia may also happen during adulthood due to visual stress or certain health conditions (such as diabetes, cataracts, and others).

Can myopia cause blindness?

Myopia itself does not usually cause blindness, but severe or pathologic myopia can increase the risk of serious eye conditions, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration. If these complications are not treated promptly, they may lead to significant vision loss.

Are contact lenses better than glasses for myopia?

Both glasses and contact lenses can effectively correct myopia. Contact lenses may provide a wider field of vision and are often preferred for sports and physical activities. However, the best option depends on your lifestyle, eye health, and personal preferences. Your eye care professional can help determine which is most suitable for you.

Can spending time outdoors help reduce the risk of myopia in children?

Research suggests that children who spend more time outdoors may have a lower risk of developing myopia. Exposure to natural light and spending less time focusing on nearby objects may help support healthy eye development. However, outdoor activity cannot completely prevent myopia.

Is myopia the same as astigmatism?

No. Myopia and astigmatism are different eye conditions. Myopia causes distant objects to appear blurry because light focuses in front of the retina. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, causing blurred or distorted vision at various distances. Some people may have both conditions at the same time.

How often should people with myopia have eye examinations?

Most eye care professionals recommend regular eye examinations every one to two years, depending on age, eye health, and the severity of myopia. Children and individuals with rapidly changing vision may need more frequent evaluations to monitor their condition and update prescriptions.

Can adults develop myopia later in life?

Yes. Although myopia commonly develops during childhood, some adults can develop it later in life. Factors that may contribute include prolonged near work, visual stress, diabetes, cataracts, and other eye conditions. A comprehensive eye examination can help identify the underlying cause.

What is high myopia?

High myopia is a more severe form of nearsightedness in which the eye is significantly longer than normal or has a greater refractive error. People with high myopia typically require stronger corrective lenses and have a higher risk of complications such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration. Regular monitoring by an eye specialist is important for protecting long-term vision. Ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions.