What Are the Treatments for Myopia Control?

Myopia occurs when the eye is not properly aligned with the optical center of the eye, resulting in nearsightedness. Myopia has been shown to cause visual impairment and can decrease visual acuity, which can affect one’s ability to read and see objects clearly. Myopia is a condition where the person has difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. It’s typically caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. There are no medications that can reverse the condition.

There are many different treatments for myopia, including eyeglasses, contact lenses, refractive surgery, and laser therapy. These treatments work better when paired with myopia control exercises such as reading books or using computer vision programs.

The prevalence of myopia has risen over time due to factors like increased digital media use.

What Causes Myopia?

Myopia is a condition characterized by nearsightedness, and it is the most common cause of vision impairment in the world.

Myopia is caused by either genetic, environmental factors, or both. The most important environmental factor influencing myopia is close-up work such as reading, computer use, and playing video games.

An eyeball shape that’s too round or too long can cause your light to focus in front of your retina, which cannot receive the right type of vision benefits. Doctors call this a refractive error.

Light enters the eyeball improperly and focuses on the retina when you have a curved cornea. This means that the vision is blurry and focused in front of your eye rather than on the retina.

Myopia can cause headaches, eye strain, squinting, eye fatigue, and trouble reading books to the blackboard. If these myopia symptoms are persistent, visit an optometrist near you.

How is Myopia Controlled or Treated?

The primary focus of myopia control in Calgary is to improve vision by focusing the light on the retina through corrective lenses or other treatments. There are different forms of treatments for myopia control, and they include:

Prescription Lenses

Prescription lenses for myopia are designed to reduce the amount of light that enters the eye and help images appear more precise. They work best for people with myopia who need to see up close.

The most common prescription glasses for myopia include bifocals, progressives, trifocals, and multifocal. Contact lenses work similarly to glasses, but they are worn right in the eyes. These lenses come in different designs, like soft or rigid. Talk to our Seton eye doctor about the pros and cons of contact lenses and if they are ideal for you.

Refractive Surgery

Refractive surgery is a type of eye surgery that reshapes the cornea and changes the focus of your eyes. Refractive surgery is also known as LASIK, LASEK, PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy.

LASIK

The most common type is LASIK which uses a laser to create the flap in your cornea. This flap covers the iris and pupil to make it possible for light to enter through the clear part of your eye without being scattered around by your natural tissue.

LASEK

LASEK surgery is a refractive surgery that uses a laser to reshape the cornea. The procedure is typically done on the eye’s clear surface and is often combined with PRK or LASIK procedures for people who need additional correction.

PRK Surgery

PRK, unlike LASEK, the surgeon completely removes the superficial epithelium first, then uses a laser to reshape the cornea. The curvature of your eye will now naturally be less and provide better contrast in images.

What are the Lifestyle Remedies for Managing Myopia?

The best way to manage myopia is by wearing glasses or contact lenses. Other lifestyle remedies for managing myopia include:

• Wearing sunglasses outdoors to reduce glare
• Adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating nutritious food
• Getting enough sleep
• Avoiding screen time and using apps that have a dark theme or use night mode
• Taking regular breaks from your computer screen to give your eyes a break

Schedule an Appointment

Visit us or book an appointment with Premier Eye Care for more information about myopia control and what you can expect.