Myopia
Myopia is the medical terminology for nearsightedness, or when objects that are near are seen
clearly, but those that are faraway are blurry. Myopia is caused by an elongated eyeball or when the
cornea had increased curvature.
Detection of Myopia
Myopia tends to emerge in school age children as a result of continued growth of the eye.
Myopia tends to develop in adults as a result of visual stress or other conditions such as diabetes.
Nearsightedness can be confirmed initials at a normal eye exam with a distance chart, however, for a
more in depth diagnosis, a phoropter is used. The phoropter will allow the optometrist a more exact
measurement.
Prismatic color distortion shown with a camera set for nearsighted focus, and using -9.5 diopter eyeglasses to correct the
camera's myopia. (left) Close-up of color shifting through corner of eyeglasses. The light and dark borders visible between
color swatches do not exist. (right)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myopia
Treatments for Myopia
Prescription eyeglasses or contacts can help to correct vision by distorting the images to
appear as they should. Some individuals will be able to wear glasses for only selective activities such
as watching a movie or while driving. In adults, laser surgery is also on option for improving vision. The
laser surgeries reshape the eye to correct the vision. In more advanced cases of myopia, refractive
surgical procedures are available. These options include implantation of a small lens directly inside the
eye.
Another type of treatment for myopia is called orthokeratology. This treatment involves
wearing rigid contact lenses which over time reshape the surface of the eye. These special lenses are
only worn for a limited amount of time daily, and are recommended for those with only moderate
amounts of myopia.
Individuals who experience myopia as a result of stress may benefit from vision therapy. Vision
therapy targets muscle spams which cause nearsightedness. Various eye exercises and relaxation
techniques such as the Bates method, are alternative methods of treatment.
http://www.myopia.org/savechild.htm
References:
Lee, Judith, and Gretchyn Bailey. Myopia (Nearsightedness). Retrieved July 5, 2010, from
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/myopia.htm.
Myopia (Nearsightedness). (n.d.) Retrieved July 1, 2010, from http://www.aoa.org/myopia.xml.
Myopia. (n.d.) In Wikipedia online. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myopia.
The Eye Digest, et. All. (n.d.) The Myopia Manual 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2010, from
http://www.agingeye.net/myopia/myopiaindex.php.
The Problem. (n.d.) Retrieved July 5, 2010, from http://www.myopia.org.