Myopia is the inability to clearly see long distances. The inability of our eyes to see certain distances is known as a ‘’faultiness’’ rather than a disease. Due to the fact that the eye refracts the light to see the image, this defect is called ‘refractive defect’. A healthy eye is expected to clearly be able to focus on the near, middle and far areas.
Myopia is the case where the person can clearly see the near objects but cannot easily focus on the far objects. The word myopia comes from the Latin word translated as ‘’shut eye’’ because myopic patients shut/squint their eyes to be able to see objects at a long distance.
Myopia is mostly hereditary and can be seen in children between the ages of 8-12. As the body grows, myopia increases and sticks at a certain level in the adulthood ages. The most important factor effecting myopia is hereditary so the chance of someone having it in the family. It is advised to take children at their early ages (ages of 1-3) for eye tests if they have a hereditary risk. Reading too much, using your eyes in dimmed lights or insufficient nutrients can cause myopia.
The reason for myopia is generally due to an oval eye and the eye cannot change its shape enough to focus on the lights that come from objects at a far distance. The cause of myopia is rarely due to a change in the shape of the cornea or the eye lens.
Nearly all myopia patients have a simple myopia that advances as their body grows. If myopia increases, this is due to a normal growth. As the child’s body grows in their teenage years the length of their eye also changes and they may require new glasses every six months. This is similar to having to often buy new shoes for constantly growing feet. Myopia advances fast for a few years then stops growing. There is also an adult myopia that develops in the twenties. Very little growth changes occur between the ages of 20-24.
Nearsightedness is not generally a disease it is a defect from normality. Very rarely is another disease or medical problem the cause of nearsightedness.
What are the symptoms?
- Difficulty in seeing long distance
- crunching eyes to see
- Tired eyes and headaches caused by trying to focus more
How is it diagnosed?
It is diagnosed by a specialist physician by the measurement of the eye and eye drops.
How is it treated?
Concave lenses or glasses with concave glass in them can be used to be able to see long distances clearly. However, lenses and glasses only help to see clearer. They are a short-term solution. Myopia can be treated permanently with laser treatment.