Myopia in Champaign, IL
You realize things seem fuzzy at a distance. You may even have a hard time reading signs, chalkboards, or words on a television screen. It sounds like you may be dealing with myopia, otherwise known as nearsightedness. Myopia is extremely common, and it can definitely interfere with your everyday life, but the good news is myopia is perfectly treatable with an optometrist in Champaign. At Champaign Eye Professionals, we offer everything from diagnosis to corrective lenses for patients who suspect they are nearsighted.
A Closer Look at Myopia
Myopia is one of the most common vision issues. Some estimates state that over 1.5 billion people, which is roughly one-quarter of the entire population, have myopia. Myopia often shows up in childhood and can get worse with age for some people. However, the condition can also show up in adulthood due to either stress on the eyes or some related health condition like diabetes.
Myopia symptoms tend to look roughly the same for every patient. Generally speaking, you will have issues seeing objects when they are at a distance from your field of vision. For example, you may be able to see signs close to you while driving, but you may have issues seeing signs further away. People who are nearsighted may also notice:
- Eye strain while driving, watching a distant television, or looking a few feet ahead for long periods
- Squinting in an effort to see things at a distance better
- Frequent or regularly occurring headaches
Children with myopia may not be able to express to you what they see or even realize that anything is wrong. Therefore, children may hold objects close to see them clearer, show differences in performance at school, and possibly even seem to have a shorter attention span.
What Causes Myopia?
Myopia stems from changes in the shape of the eye that cause light to focus on the wrong area of the retina. In some cases, myopia is caused by an unusual curvature of the cornea or thicker than normal corneal thickness. Myopia is considered a genetic issue; if you have a family member that was nearsighted, there is a high likelihood that you will have issues as well.
Myopia can be worse for people who have an excessive amount of strain on their eyes. Prolonged screen time is thought to play a role in the drastically higher instances of nearsightedness than what was once typical.
How Myopia Is Treated by a Champaign Optometrist
Luckily, myopia can be treated in a number of ways. For the most part, people who are nearsighted can get eyeglasses to help their vision. Eyeglasses change how light enters the retina, which can help clear your distant vision. Contact lenses may also be an option. The majority of patients may also get corrective laser surgery to correct refractive errors caused by myopia.
Common Patient Questions About Myopia
Will myopia ever go away on its own?
Myopia does not normally go away on its own. However, most people will reach an age when myopia sort of levels off or does not continue to worsen. For example, children who have myopia often see their myopia stop progressing or changing by the time they reach adulthood. It is relatively common for the condition to progress a bit during growth spurts, which affect the shape of the eyes.
Can children have myopia?
Myopia is actually one of the most common types of refractive errors that can affect both young adults and children. In fact, the condition most often shows up during childhood years, and usually shows up between 3 and 12 years old. If your child complains about not being able to see things from a distance or you notice them holding items close to their face, it is a good idea to seek an eye exam with a Champaign optometrist.
Can you go blind from myopia?
The majority of people do not go blind or lose their vision because of myopia. However, a more progressive form of myopia, which is called degenerative myopia, involves ongoing changes to eye structure. Degenerative myopia is not common, however, with only 2 percent of the population being diagnosed. Just the same, it is important that myopia does not go untreated, as the condition can be related to other more threatening visual health concerns.
Is there a cure for myopia?
Refractive surgery can correct nearsightedness. Refractive surgery involves using a laser to reshape the cornea; LASIK is the most well-known type of surgery to correct nearsightedness. The procedure is extremely common and highly successful.
Work with a Champaign Eye Doctor to Help with Myopia
While myopia is a common visual condition, the condition is not one that should be overlooked. Basic visual correction with eyeglasses or contacts can give people with myopia the ability to see objects from a distance. And, some patients are good candidates for surgical myopia correction. If you believe you or your child has myopia, be sure to schedule an appointment for an eye exam with a Champaign eye doctor like Champaign Eye Professionals.
