Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common refractive error. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.89 billion people worldwide are nearsighted. This condition makes it difficult to see objects in the distance. Fortunately, this is a condition that can be easily treated by the optometry professionals at Lone Star Vision.
What Causes Myopia?
A normally shaped eye is smooth like a marble. If you have myopia, your cornea, and lens bend, making incoming light focus directly on the retina in the back of your eye. This makes objects in the distance appear blurry. This condition runs in families. If one parent has myopia, you have a good chance of having it as well. If both parents have myopia, your chances increase significantly.
Myopia Symptoms
As mentioned above, myopia makes it difficult to see objects in the distance clearly. Other signs of myopia include:
- Needing to squint to see clearly
- Trouble driving, especially at night
- Frequent headaches caused by eyestrain
If you experience any of these symptoms, our eye doctor can diagnose myopia during your annual eye exams.
Treating Myopia with Ortho-K
The most common treatment for myopia is eyeglasses. Contact lenses are another popular option, and many people prefer contacts over glasses. Some prefer contacts because they provide a more natural appearance. Others prefer contacts because there is no eyeglass frame or dirty lenses to obstruct their vision. Athletes prefer contacts because they are more convenient than sports goggles.
If you don't want to rely on contacts during the day, there is another option. Our optometrist can fit you for special lenses called Ortho-K that work differently than conventional contact lenses. Ortho-K lenses are worn at night. While you sleep, the contacts gently reshape your corneas. When you wake up in the morning and remove the contacts, you will be able to see clearly.
How Long Do the Effects of Ortho-K Last?
When you first start using Ortho-K, it can take two or three nights for them to be effective. The higher your prescription, the longer it will take. You must wear your contacts every night. If you forget one night, your vision should still be clear when you wake up in the morning. If you forget to put them in for two or more nights, you will need to wear your glasses to see clearly. For the best results, you should wear your contacts every night.
To be a good candidate for Ortho-K, your prescription can be no higher than -6.00. This treatment is popular in controlling myopia in children. Studies have shown that children who use Ortho-K can reduce the severity of their refractive error. In some cases, when they got older, children will have no signs of myopia at all.
Optometry in Beaumont
If you are interested in Ortho-K treatment for myopia, the eye care professionals at Lone Star Vision are ready to assist you. Our optometrist will evaluate your eyes to determine whether or not you have myopia and if Ortho-K is the right solution for you. For more information or to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor, call us at .