MYOPIA

What is myopia ?

It is a Refractive error of the eye which is corrected by minus number glasses (eg -2.25 D spherical).

In very layman terms, near objects are seen clearly and distant objects , or things far away are seen blurred.

What is the best treatment ?

Myopia can  easily and commonly corrected with (a) glasses (b) contact lenses. There are also newer surgeries for Myopia but they have to be taken up only after a certain age of the patient , after thorough assessment and after reviewing the side effects.

How does age affect myopia ?  or

Why do numbers increase ?

Normally every one is born with a little plus (+) numbers and as we grow (till  10-12 years) due to changes or growth in the eye this becomes zero (emmotropia).

But suppose you are detected with minus numbers (myopia) at age 4-10 then these numbers will increase till you grow to 18-21 years of age and then they will stabilize. Usually there is no change in numbers after this.  

Why should a myopia patient get a Retina check regularly ?

Retina, as it is is a very thin and delicate , innermost layer to the eyeball. In myopia it is extra thin. Further more there are some extra thin, frayed areas, called as Lattice found majorly in Myopes. These have to be specially looked for by a Retina Specialist.

These make a myope more prone or liable to Retina Problems (especially Retinal Detachment).

Cautions or Self Tests in Myopia ?.

Decrease in vision

Decrease in field of vision

Sudden increase in floaters (black spots)

Flashes of lightening

Curtain of darkness (Retinal Detachment)

The above 2 ** are an Emergency and you should contact and see your eye doctor immediately.

Why do I see these Black spots (Floaters) or Wiggly lines ?

In certain conditions the jelly that fills your eye (vitreous) it starts converting to liquid. The strands that float in the pockets of liquid formed, you see them as black flecks (floaters)  or wiggly lines. They will not harm you. You will learn to ignore them.

What is Laser therapy sometimes advised to a Myopia patient, even children?

When the thin areas, Lattice, seem likely to produce a potential to damage, they are welded more firmly to the eye by Laser. It is a very painless, OPD procedure.

Can Myopia be cured by “Special medicines” / Yoga / exercises ?

Myopia can be treated, it can not be cured. Patients can lead a normal life with the aid of glasses and contact lenses and should enthusiastically do so.

Updated February 2019: American Academy of Paediatric Ophthalomology has published that the new figures for Myopia in USA are 40% of kids below 15 years of age. Use of iPads, Phones and TV being the main culprit again.