What is Myopia?
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error of the eye that affects the ability to see distant objects.
People with myopia experience clear vision when looking at objects up close, such as reading a book or smartphone, but distant objects appear blurry or out of focus.
Myopia occurs when the eyeball is slightly elongated, causing the light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
The exact cause of myopia is unclear, but experts believe it to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as excessive near-work or limited outdoor activity during childhood.
If one or both parents have myopia, there is an increased likelihood that their children developing myopia.
There is no known cure for myopia. However, there are several management strategies you can do to slow down its progression.
What are the symptoms of myopia?
Blurry vision for distant objects
Difficulty seeing signs or objects far away
Squinting to see
Eye strain-induced headaches
Eye fatigue after prolonged visual tasks
Difficulty seeing in low-light conditions
Holding objects closer to see clearly
If you or your child exhibits any of the above signs, immediately make an appointment with an eye doctor to eliminate more serious conditions.
What myopia management options are available?
Myopia management aims to slow myopia progression from further deterioration. Effective management can reduce the risk of developing serious eye diseases and complications.
Corrective lenses
The most popular option for addressing myopia is corrective lenses, such as glasses and contact lenses.
Corrective lenses work by refracting light to compensate for the eye’s elongation, allowing clear vision at various distances.
However, they do not address the underlying cause of progressive myopia. They are also incompatible with certain lifestyles and certain activities.
Eyeglasses can fog, limit peripheral vision, and get in the way when playing sports. On the other hand, contact lenses may cause dryness, irritation and require regular cleaning and maintenance.
Atropine eye drops
Atropine eye drops are used in ophthalmology to dilate the pupils and temporarily paralyse the eye’s focusing muscles. They contain the active ingredient atropine sulfate derived from the belladonna plant.
Low doses of atropine eye drops can help slow down myopia progression in school-aged children and adolescents.
However, these eye drops can also have long-lasting effects such as temporary blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light, and difficulty with near vision.
It is also possible to develop allergic reactions, such as redness, itching, eye irritation, and even systemic effects, if the medication is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Refractive Surgery
Refractive surgeries, such as LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), are surgical procedures that reshape the cornea to correct myopia.
These surgeries can provide significant and long-lasting vision correction, but they are not suitable for everyone.
They are also irreversible, costlier, and have higher potential risks and complications than other options, including glare, dry eyes, under- and overcorrection, double vision, and other visual fluctuations.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Ortho-K is a non-surgical vision correction aid that gently reshapes the cornea to temporarily correct myopia progression by wearing custom-designed rigid gas permeable lenses overnight.
The option has shown specific potential among children and teenagers, with several scientific results indicating its promise in slowing down the axial elongation of the eye, which is associated with myopia progression.
It offers the advantages of contact lenses and glasses in terms of freedom and convenience, along with the long-lasting benefits of eye surgery, all achieved without the need to go under the knife.
Additionally, unlike eye surgery, its effects are reversible, so if a person decides to discontinue Ortho-K, their cornea can gradually return to its original shape.
Be on top of your myopia and eye health with Eye Braces Clinic
Eye Braces Clinic offers several myopia management strategies.
From comprehensive eye examinations and prescription lenses to Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), our team of highly-trained and certified eye specialists have the right solution for every budget and need.
We also offer a Childhood Myopia Management Program to give children the optimal chances of controlling childhood myopia progression and other refractive errors.
Book a consultation via WhatsApp @ +65 8299 2413 today!