What is myopic?

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a common refractive error where you can see objects near to you clearly, but objects far away appear blurry. This occurs when the eye's shape causes light rays to bend (refract) incorrectly, focusing images in front of the retina instead of on the retina.

Causes:

• Elongated Eyeball: In many cases, the eyeball is longer than normal from front to back. This is the most common cause of <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/myopia">myopia</a>.
• Curved Cornea: Sometimes, the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) is too curved.
• Combination: Often, it's a combination of both an elongated eyeball and a curved cornea.
• Genetics: Myopia tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component. If your parents are myopic, you are more likely to develop it.
• Environmental Factors: Increased near work, such as reading and using digital devices, and decreased time spent outdoors have been linked to a higher risk of developing myopia, especially in children.

Symptoms:

• Blurry vision when looking at distant objects
• Squinting
• Eye strain
• Headaches
• Difficulty seeing while driving, especially at night

Diagnosis:

An eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) can diagnose myopia during a comprehensive eye exam. This includes:

• Visual acuity tests (using an eye chart)
• Refraction (determining the lens power needed to correct your vision)
• Eye health evaluation

Treatment:

Myopia is typically corrected with:

• Eyeglasses: Lenses in glasses correct the refractive error, allowing light to focus properly on the retina.
• Contact Lenses: Similar to eyeglasses, contact lenses correct the refractive error.
• Refractive Surgery: Procedures like <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/LASIK">LASIK</a> and <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/PRK">PRK</a> permanently reshape the cornea to correct vision.
• Orthokeratology (Ortho-k): Special contact lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea.

Myopia Control:

For children with progressive myopia, treatments are available to slow down its progression:

• Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops can help slow the progression of myopia.
• Multifocal Contact Lenses: These lenses are designed to slow myopia progression in children.
• Multifocal Eyeglasses: Similar to multifocal contact lenses, these glasses can help slow the progression of myopia.
• Spending Time Outdoors: Research suggests that spending more time outdoors can help reduce the risk and slow the progression of myopia.

Complications:

High myopia (severe nearsightedness) can increase the risk of certain eye problems, including:

• <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Glaucoma">Glaucoma</a>
• <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Cataracts">Cataracts</a>
• Retinal detachment
• Myopic macular degeneration