FAQ - MYOPIA DISEASES

“EARLY DETECTION IS KEY.
TIME FOR A VISIT TO THE OPHTHALMOLOGIST”
 
Q.WHAT IS MYOPIA? 
Ans. Myopia is an eye condition, commonly referred to as  “near-sightedness”. In myopia, near objects look clear but far objects appear blurred.
The scary part is that myopia is a progressive condition. That means that over time, myopia will change the physical structure of the eye and lead to vision loss, which is what makes timely diagnosis and treatment imperative.
 
Q. WHAT CAUSES MYOPIA?
Ans.There is various factors that may contribute to myopia-
  • Genetics: One or both parents having myopia is often attributed to development of myopia in children at a young age.
  • Reading and close-up work: Major risk factor to increase myopia that does a lot of reading, writing or computer work. Playing electronic games or watching television plays an important role as well. Even maintain the distance between reading material and your eye.We encourage responsible usage of screens.
  • Environmental Settings: Some studies suggest that a lack of time expended outdoors may lead to the development of myopia. All work and no play make Jack myopic!
 
 Q. WHEN DOES MYOPIA DEVELOP?
Ans. It is reported that 90% of cases of myopia will develop in childhood (six and onwards). Both children and adults can be nearsighted, but myopia is usually diagnosed in school-aged children the first time. Nearsightedness tends to advance in teenage, as the eye continues to grow during this time. The condition levels off and generally stabilizes in adulthood.
However, babies can also be born with myopia (congenital myopia) and as adults, even with no prior vision condition in childhood, one can develop myopia.
 
Q. WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH MYOPIA?
Ans. The onset of myopia at an early age significantly increases the risk of developing high myopia – high myopia is no joke. It is associated with very serious eye ailments that can lead to vision loss which may progress to blindness.
For instance, high myopia is known to cause cataracts, glaucoma, squint, amblyopia, retinal detachment, myopia maculopathy as well as macular degeneration.
 
 Q. WHO IS AT RISK?
Ans. This one is easy for everyone!
No demographic or region is immune. Sure, some children are more prone to developing myopia owing to genetics, but myopia is a reality for all of us.
 
 Q. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MYOPIA?
Ans. Nearsightedness symptoms may include:
  • Blurry vision for distant objects
  • Squeezing Eye.
  • Headaches caused by eyestrain.
  • Struggle to see while driving, particularly at night (night myopia).
Short-sightedness is often initially detected during childhood and is often diagnosed between the early school days through the teens. A child with Short-sightedness may:
  • Persistently squint
  • A need to sit nearer to the digital screens or the front of the classroom
  • Lack of awareness about distant objects.
  • Excessive blinking.
  • Frequent rubbing of eyes.
 Q. HOW IS MYOPIA TREATED?
Ans. Lenses depending on an individual’s power can easily provide improvement in vision. The following options are available Eyeglasses: This is a safe & simple way to enhance sight caused by Short-sightedness. A spectrum of eyeglass lenses is available which includes single vision, bifocals, trifocals and progressive multifocals.
  • Contact lenses: These lenses are worn on your eyes itself. They range of lenses are available depend upon classification of materials and designs, as well as soft and rigid, gas permeable in combination with spherical, toric and multifocal lens designs.
  • Refractive surgery: Refractive surgery lowers the need for eyeglasses and contact lenses. There is a spectrum of refractive procedures available today:
A. Laser-assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK): LASIK is a quick and effective procedure to reduce one’s dependence on glasses or contacts by correcting the refractive errors of the eye. The procedure involves creating a thin flap of Cornea, the top layer of the eyes, using either a fine blade or a laser.
It is one of the safest and most commonly performed procedures across the world. Recovery from LASIK surgery is usually more rapid and causes less discomfort than other corneal surgeries.
 
B. Femto LASIK:  The basic benefit use of femtosecond lasers in corneal refractive surgery is the improved safety over microkeratomes in creation of the lamellar flap.
         Additional Benefits are:
  1. Increased precision
  2. Customization
  3. Ease of surgery
Femtosecond lasers allow for customization of the flap for each patient. In addition to producing reliable flap thicknesses, the flap diameter can be selected to one-tenth of a millimetre.
Femtosecond lasers are (state-of-the-art) instruments that offer more surgical precision than current manual techniques.
 
C. Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK): The surgeon creates an ultra-thin flap only in the cornea's outer protective cover (epithelium). He or she then uses a laser to reshape the cornea's outer layers, flattening its curve, and then replaces the epithelium.
 
D. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK): This procedure used for persons with an unhealthy cornea, unfit for traditional laser procedures. Here the surgeon combines laser Surface Ablation with Cornea Cross-Linking to correct the refractive error & strengthen the cornea as well. The surgeon completely removes the epithelium, and then uses the laser to reshape the cornea. The epithelium is not replaced, but will grow back naturally, conforming to your cornea's new shape.
 
E. Corneal rings: Corneal ring or Plastic corneal rings, called Intacs, are implanted into the eye to alter the shape of the cornea.  It can improve certain problems with cornea. Advantage of the corneal rings is that they may be left in place permanently, may be removed in case of a problem, or adjusted should a prescription change be necessary.
 
F. ReLEx SMILE: ReLEx SMILE is an advanced laser technique for the gentle correction of vision defects. It is a minimally invasive treatment method which combines the extensive experience and superior safety of traditional vision correction techniques with numerous innovative benefits, high precision levels and perceptibility with greater comfort during the treatment itself.
 
Note: Nearsightedness is diagnosed by a basic eye exam, which includes a refraction assessment and an eye health exam.
 
Q. HOW CAN I PROTECT MY CHILD’S EYESIGHT?
Ans. Make eye health a priority. True, we can’t avoid screens in this modern world but we can teach our children how to use them responsibly. Encourage them to put down the device and go outside and play. Research suggests that two hours of daylight a day can prevent their myopia from worsening.
Children get vaccinations and dental appointments routinely nowadays. We need you to add a visit to the optometrist as part of that comprehensive plan.