DIAGNOSIS
Nearsightedness is usually discovered during childhood. A series of eye tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor may use various instruments, aim bright lights directly at your eyes and ask you to look through several lenses. This will help in prescribing the correct lens or eyeglass.
TREATMENT
Various treatment may be used to temporarily or permanently correct this eye problem, including:
- Corrective Lenses – You may use corrective lenses in a form of either eyeglasses or contact lenses.
- Refractive Surgery – This procedure uses laser beams to reshape the cornea to improve vision and reduce the need for eyeglass or contact lens.
Refractive surgical procedures may include:
- Laser-assisted in-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)- The eye surgeon makes a thin, hinged flap in the cornea then uses an excimer laser to remove layers from the center of your cornea to flatten its domed shape.
- Laser-assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy (LASEK)- the surgeon creates a flap only in the cornea’s thin protective cover (epithelium) then he or she uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea’s outer layers and flatten its curvature and then repositions the epithelial flap.
- Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)- It is similar to LASEK, except the eye surgeon removes the epithelium.
- Intraocular lens (IOL) Implant- A lens is implanted in front of the eye’s natual lens.
Unsuccessful surgery may result to more complications and serious side effects.
