MYOPIA (short-sightedness) is the most common, equally in young and old, where the distant objects looks blurry and the near objects relatively clearer. In myopia the light rays focus inaccurately on the front of retina an inner most neuro-sensitive layer to perceive images. Another associated problem is Hypermetropia (long-sightedness) a relatively less common, where a person may perceive distant objects clearer, but the near objects blurry. In Astigmatism the cornea is irregularly curved or may be steeper in one direction. The vision may be distorted at some distances. In fact, our eyes have two parts to help focus the images on the retina. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped frontal layer and the lens is a biconvex transparent button like structure behind the pupil.
In Myopia the children have difficulty in seeing black boards in the class room or watching TV at a normal distance, as they mostly squint squeeze their eyelids to see things clearer. Hence, they sit at a closer distance to perceive clearer image and they blink excessively and rub their eyes frequently. Eyes have two parts to focus images, the light is focused directly on the retina, a highly sensitive nerve tissues layer at the back of our eye, which transmits light rays to the brain via optic nerve to perceive image. A visual acuity test checks how sharp is your distant and near vision, special charts are designed for illiterate people with different designs in shape and size to help determine the prescription for spectacle or contact lens.
The commonest symptoms of Myopia are headaches, eyestrain, squinting or excessive watering. The symptoms can be corrected with the help of concave (minus) in the spectacle, or contact lenses. While plus lenses are prescribed in Hypermetropia. Similarly in Astigmatism the vision is corrected by special lenses. Certain risk factors like genetics of family history may increase the likelihood of developing Myopia, especially students or youngsters use computers and mobile phones repeatedly for longer periods and they lack the outdoors activities or sports, they certainly have a greater risk of developing Myopia.
Younger myopic patients mostly avoid glasses and prefer surgery as a permanent treatment which is achieved through Lasik surgery (https://www.britannica.com/science/surgery-medicinelaser application) or PRK to reshape the cornea). However, Lasik is commonly preferred by the patients as a short procedure spanning over few minutes as outdoor treatment. This is a quite safe procedure and normally conducted with local aesthetic eye drops, to avoid any pain or discomfort. Moreover, it is less time consuming spanning over a few minutes especially in high myopic patients. This procedure is very useful for pilots, players or highly skilled workers.
However, seek medical advice if you experience any of the following problems. a) Sudden appearance of floaters or drifting tiny specks, in your field of vision. b) Flashes of light in one or both eyes. c) Children may experience difficulty in reading or writing. d) Delaying examination in an uncorrected vision can lead to other visual complications like retinal detachment, glaucoma and cataract. e) Your personal and family safety may be jeopardized while driving a vehicle. Regular visual screenings is important for timely diagnosis and treatment especially in children and adolescents. It is also important to conduct first examination at birth at 6 – 12 months of age, and afterwards between the ages of 12 to 36 months.
In children: Visual screening is normally conducted in schools or clinics, the recommended time for screening is as follows: (1) At least once between the ages of 3 – 5 years. (2) Before kindergarten, usually at the age of 5-6 years. (3) Annually, during the high schooling period and if a problem is identified, the child needs a complete eye exam by an expert.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends healthy adults with no visual problems should undergo a complete eye exam on the following schedule: (i) At least once between age of 20-29 years or twice between ages 30-39 years. (ii) Every 2-4 years from the age between 40-54 years, (iii) To be continued every 1-3 years from the ages of 55-64 years. (iv) Finally, every 1-2 years beyond the age of 65 years. (v) In case of diabetics, or family disease like blood pressure, cardiac ailment, you need more-regular eye examination.
Treatment: 1. There are many options for treatment, both surgical and non-surgical. However, one needs regular eye examination, if he/she is already using glasses or contact lenses or previous surgical correction. Atropine Eye drops are commonly used in low doses which helps in slowing the progression of Myopia.
2. Surgical treatment is not an open choice for everyone. A surgery is recommended only when myopia is no longer progressing. However, surgical procedure of LASIK, reduces the need of glasses or contact lenses. The recovery is more rapid and causes less discomfort than other procedures. LASIK surgery is not recommended in patients with joint diseases, pregnancy, breast feeding, any viral infection, glaucoma, cataract even at old age. If LASIK surgery in needed in both eyes, doctors generally do it simultaneously on the same day. PRK is more or less similar to LASEK and SMILE. In Ortho-Keratology, a rigid contact lens is used at night temporarily to reshapes the cornea as the lens is not used during the day, it slows the progression of Myopia.
3. Lifestyle Remedies. Protect your eyes from the sun by using protective glasses during sports to prevent eye injuries. Use proper lighting while reading and doing close work, you must give rest to your eyes from computer and follow the formula of 20+20+20, (spend 20 minutes by looking at 20 feet away and rest your eyes for at least 20 seconds. Eat healthy diet with regular exercise.
—The author is a doctor and is a writer on medical subjects.
