28 Mar A Closer Look At Myopia: Understanding Its Impact
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, has been a prevalent vision issue for centuries. Dating back to ancient Greece, where the term “myopia” was first coined, this condition affects individuals worldwide. With the increasing use of digital devices and changing lifestyles, myopia has become a growing concern in modern times. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and potential treatments for myopia is crucial for maintaining good eye health and overall well-being. Let’s take a closer look at myopia to learn about the importance of axial length measurement in myopia progression.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error where close objects appear clearly, but distant objects are blurry. It occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea has too much curvature. Myopia can develop in childhood and typically progresses until the late teens. If you think your child might have myopia, read our blog to learn about 5 signs of myopia in children.
Individuals with myopia often face challenges in activities like driving, watching TV, or recognizing faces from a distance. The need for corrective lenses becomes essential for clear vision.
Genetics play a significant role in the development of myopia. Family history of myopia increases the likelihood of an individual developing the condition. Research suggests that children with both parents being nearsighted have a 60-80% chance of developing myopia themselves. Genetic factors determine the shape and size of the eye, impacting its ability to focus light properly.
Treatments For Standard Myopia
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are a common and effective way to correct myopia. They work by altering the way light enters the eye, helping to focus images correctly on the retina. Eyeglasses are easy to use and come in various styles and designs.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses offer a more discreet option for correcting myopia compared to eyeglasses. These lenses sit directly on the eye’s surface, providing clear vision without any noticeable frames. Contact lenses require proper cleaning and maintenance to prevent eye infections.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Ortho-K involves wearing specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses overnight. These lenses reshape the cornea while you sleep, temporarily correcting myopia during the day without the need for glasses or contacts. Orthokeratology can be beneficial for individuals who find wearing corrective lenses during the day inconvenient.
Refractive Surgery
Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, or laser eye surgery, reshapes the cornea to improve how light is focused on the retina, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contacts. This surgical procedure offers a long-term solution for myopia, providing clear vision without visual aids.
Atropine Eye Drops
Atropine eye drops have shown promise in controlling the progression of myopia in children. By dilating the pupil and temporarily paralyzing the eye’s focusing muscles, these drops help reduce strain on the eyes and slow down myopia progression. However, prolonged use of atropine may cause sensitivity to light.
Lifestyle Changes
Making simple lifestyle changes can also help manage myopia. Spending time outdoors, taking regular breaks from close-up work, maintaining good lighting conditions, and following proper ergonomic practices while using digital devices can all contribute to reducing eye strain and slowing down myopia progression.
Why Is Myopia So Common Today?
Modern lifestyles, characterized by increased screen time and decreased outdoor activities, contribute significantly to the rise in myopia prevalence. Prolonged screen time strains the eyes, leading to visual impairments over time. Excessive near work and limited exposure to natural light are other key factors driving this trend.
Individuals with a family history of myopia are more likely to develop the condition. Genetic factors play a crucial role in determining an individual’s susceptibility to myopia, making it prevalent among certain populations.
Urbanization and industrialization have altered our living environments, contributing to the increasing prevalence of myopia. Pollution, lack of green spaces, and artificial lighting all impact eye health negatively.
Intense academic demands and prolonged study hours put significant strain on children’s eyes. The educational system’s emphasis on close-up work contributes to the high incidence of myopia among students.
Last, limited awareness about the importance of regular eye check-ups results in individuals failing to recognize the early signs of myopia, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Neo-Technology To Help Prevention Of Myopia
Benefits Of Neo-Technology
Neo-technology, also known as advanced technology, incorporates innovative approaches to tackle various health issues, including myopia. By utilizing cutting-edge tools and techniques, such as smart glasses and vision training apps, neo-technology aims to address the root causes of myopia. These technological solutions offer personalized vision correction and visual exercises tailored to each individual’s needs. Unlike traditional methods, neo-technology provides a more holistic approach to prevent and manage myopia effectively.
Role Of Smart Glasses
Smart glasses equipped with augmented reality (AR) features play a crucial role in combating myopia. These glasses offer real-time visual feedback to users, encouraging them to adopt better eye habits and reduce eye strain. By leveraging AR technology, smart glasses can provide interactive vision therapy, helping individuals maintain optimal eye health. These devices promote visual relaxation through targeted exercises, contributing to myopia prevention.
Vision Training Apps
In the digital age, vision training apps have emerged as valuable tools for myopia prevention. These apps leverage gamification techniques to make vision exercises engaging and enjoyable for users of all ages. Through interactive activities and challenges, vision training apps stimulate visual acuity and promote eye muscle strength. By incorporating progress tracking features, these apps enable individuals to monitor their eye health improvements over time.
What Is Axial Length In Myopia Care
Axial length, the distance between the front and back of the eye, is crucial in myopia care. Measuring axial length accurately provides valuable insights into the severity and progression of myopia. By tracking changes in axial length over time, eye care professionals can effectively monitor the condition’s development.
Measuring axial length offers a more precise assessment of myopia compared to traditional methods like spectacle prescriptions. Individuals with longer axial lengths tend to have higher degrees of myopia. This information helps in determining the risk of complications associated with severe myopia, such as retinal detachment or glaucoma.
In myopia management, understanding axial length plays a pivotal role. It aids in customizing treatment strategies based on individual needs. For instance, individuals with rapidly increasing axial lengths may require more aggressive interventions to slow down myopia progression effectively.
As research continues to delve into myopia management, further insights into the relationship between axial length and myopia progression are being uncovered. This knowledge paves the way for innovative treatments that target specific aspects of eye growth to better control myopia development.
Are you looking for a way to manage your myopia? Book an appointment with Dr. D’Orio Eyecare today to learn about specific treatment plans for your myopia. Call us at 416 656 2020 for our Toronto location, or 416 661 5555 for our North York location, or book an appointment online at https://drdorioeyecare.com/book-appointment/
