Myopia
At Garibaldi Eye Care, we understand the challenges posed by myopia, a shared vision condition affecting millions worldwide. Our optometrists are dedicated to offering expert care and personalized management strategies for individuals living with myopia.
What is Myopia
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error that impacts an individual’s ability to see objects at a distance while close-up vision remains unaffected.
Causes and Risk Factors of Myopia
- Genetics: Myopia tends to run in families. If one or both parents have myopia, their children will likely develop it.
- Environmental Factors: Increased time spent indoors and less time in natural light can contribute to myopia development. Some studies suggest that outdoor activities can help slow the onset and progression of myopia in children.
- Lifestyle Habits: Excessive near-work activities, such as reading, writing, and prolonged use of digital devices, can increase the risk of myopia. These activities can strain the eyes and contribute to the elongation of the eyeball, resulting in myopia.
The prevalence of myopia has been on the rise globally, particularly in urban areas of East Asia. Factors such as educational pressures, lifestyle changes, and less outdoor time are often cited as contributing factors. This underlines the importance of early detection, regular eye exams, and appropriate interventions to control myopia progression.
Myopia Detection and Diagnosis
At Garibaldi Eye Care, we offer comprehensive eye exams to detect and diagnose myopia in its early stages. Our team of highly qualified optometrists uses the latest technology and practices to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective management of myopia.
- Visual Acuity Testing: This is a standard part of an eye examination that measures the sharpness of your vision. You will be asked to read letters or symbols on an eye chart placed at a specific distance. This test helps identify any refractive errors, including myopia.
- Refraction: This test determines your exact eyeglass prescription. Your optometrist will use a phoropter, a device that allows you to look through a series of lenses, to measure how your eyes focus light. By changing lenses, we can ascertain the degree of myopia.
- Axial Length Measurement: Myopia is often associated with an elongated eyeball. We can measure the length of your eye using tools like optical biometry or ultrasound. This measurement aids in evaluating the progression of myopia over time.
Early detection and intervention are critical in managing myopia effectively. The sooner nearsightedness is diagnosed, the better we can control its progression, reducing the risk of developing high myopia and associated complications in the future. Regular eye examinations are essential, especially for children, as they allow for early detection and intervention, helping maintain optimal vision and eye health.
Myopia Management Options
Our clinic offers a range of management options tailored to the specific needs of our myopic patients. These include:
- Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses provide clear and comfortable vision at all distances.
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is a non-surgical procedure involving custom-designed lenses worn overnight to reshape the cornea and reduce myopia temporarily.
- Multifocal contact lenses not only correct nearsightedness but also help slow the progression of myopia.
- Pharmaceutical interventions like low-dose atropine eye drops have shown promising results in controlling myopia progression.
The selection of the best strategy depends on the patient’s age, lifestyle, and specific visual requirements.
Myopia Control Techniques
- Peripheral Defocus Contact Lenses: These specialized contact lenses are designed to reduce the strain on the eyes by allowing them to focus on objects at various distances. By lowering the eye’s effort to focus, these lenses can help control the progression of myopia. Peripheral defocus contact lenses have been found to reduce myopia progression by approximately 30% to 50% in some studies.
- Atropine Therapy: This involves the application of low-dose atropine eye drops, which have been shown in various studies to slow down myopia progression in children. The drops are usually administered once a day under the supervision of an optometrist. Atropine therapy has shown significant effectiveness in slowing down myopia progression in various clinical trials, with fewer side effects at lower concentrations.
- Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses: These lenses have different zones to correct both near and distant vision. They are designed to reduce the eye’s need to strain when focusing, thereby controlling the progression of myopia. Soft multifocal contact lenses have been shown to slow down myopia progression by an average of 30% to 50%.
It’s important to note that the effectiveness of these methods can vary from person to person. Factors such as the individual’s age, the degree of myopia, and compliance with the treatment protocol can influence the results. At Garibaldi Eye Care, we ensure to devise a personalized myopia management plan that suits each patient’s specific needs and lifestyle, providing them with the best possible outcome.
Visit Garibaldi Eye Care Today
Myopia is a widespread vision condition, and its effective management is central to our mission at Garibaldi Eye Care. Our team of optometry professionals is highly skilled in the latest myopia control strategies, offering personalized care for every patient. We encourage anyone experiencing nearsightedness or those seeking effective myopia management to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye examination with us.
Contact Us Today To Make an Appointment!
Myopia is one of the most common vision concerns that people have. If you are experiencing blurry vision, you should get evaluated by a trained eye doctor as quickly as possible. That is where we can help you. Our eye doctors will work with you personally to develop a treatment plan. Give us a call today to make an appointment with a member of our team!
