DIAGNOSIS
To help diagnose myopia, a complete eye exam by an optometrist is needed.
Often, school vision tests will be the first time a parent learns about a child’s nearsightedness. Occasionally, parents or teachers will detect nearsightedness after seeing a child squint in order to see distant objects.
Adults may begin to realize they have the condition when they have trouble watching movies, can’t see distant objects clearly while driving, or participate in other activities that involve looking at far-away objects.
Even if you have no symptoms of nearsightedness, it’s a good idea to get an eye exam around the time you turn 40.
TREATMENT
Wearing corrective lenses is the simplest treatment for nearsightedness (Either eyeglasses or contact lenses).
Surgery is another treatment option. Two common surgeries include:
- LASIK (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis)– In this procedure, an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) first cuts a round, hinged flap in your cornea. Using an excimer laser (unlike other lasers, it produces no heat) the doctor will remove layers from the center of your cornea to change its shape and improve your vision.
- LASEK (laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy)– In this procedure, the doctor works only on the cornea’s thin outer layer (epithelium). After creating a flap, the doctor then uses an excimer laser to reshape the outer layer of the cornea.
Complications from both of these surgeries may include:
- Dry Eye
- Infection
- Corneal Scarring
- Vision loss (in Rare Cases)
- Under- or Overcorrection of your Original Vision Problem
- Vision Problems, such as Halos or Other Effects Around Bright Lights
