What Options Are There to Treat Myopia?

Are you tired of squinting to read restaurant menus or struggling to see the whiteboard during a presentation? If so, you are not alone—nearsightedness, or myopia, is a prevalent refractive error affecting millions worldwide. 
 

It occurs when the eyeball's shape causes light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of on it. This results in blurry distance vision. Below are the options available to treat nearsightedness. 

Eyeglasses

Prescription glasses are among the most popular myopia treatments. They help the eye focus light correctly on the retina, correcting the blurred vision associated with nearsightedness. Since they are simple to use and require little upkeep, glasses are popular.

Contact Lenses

Another option for correcting myopia is contact lenses. Like eyeglasses, contact lenses help the eye focus light correctly on the retina. Contact lenses give greater peripheral vision and are less likely to fog up or become obstructed during strenuous activity. These are strong reasons for some people to prefer them.

Orthokeratology
 

Ortho-k is a nonsurgical treatment for myopia that involves wearing special contact lenses overnight. These lenses gradually reshape the cornea, the eye's clear front surface. The process lessens the eye's lengthening, a key element in the emergence and advancement of myopia. You wear ortho-k lenses while sleeping and remove them in the morning. You will enjoy clear vision throughout the day without needing glasses or contact lenses.

Atropine Eye Drops

You apply these drops in low concentrations to the eye daily. Atropine dilates the pupil, reducing the strain on the eye muscles and slowing myopia's progression. While these eye drops can slow myopia progression, they can also cause side effects. These include light sensitivity and blurry vision.

Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are special contact lenses that can help correct myopia. Unlike traditional contact lenses, the lenses are larger and rest on the white part of the eye rather than the cornea. 
 

Scleral lenses can provide clear vision for people with high levels of myopia, irregular corneas, or other eye conditions that make wearing traditional contact lenses or glasses difficult.

Vision Therapy

Vision therapy is a form of physical therapy for the eyes and brain. Exercises and activities used in vision therapy aim to enhance various visual skills. These include visual processing, eye coordination, and others. 
 

Although vision therapy may not immediately reduce myopia, it can help enhance the general condition and functionality of the eyes. It can eventually lessen the need for corrective lenses.

Conclusion

Do you or your child have myopia? If so, there are several options available to correct the condition. Prescription contact lenses and eyeglasses are the most common treatments. Beyond these are ortho-k lenses, atropine eye drops, scleral lenses, and vision therapy to help manage your myopia. 
 

Discussing the best choice for your particular needs with your eye specialist is crucial. To track the development of myopia, go for routine eye tests. You can effectively manage your condition with the proper care and management. You will then stop it from progressing to high levels and the potentially dangerous eye conditions resulting from it.
 

For more on myopia, visit Optique Vision at our Albany, New York office. Call (518) 302-2106 to schedule an appointment today.