Mcdonald Optical
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Myopia Treatment From High-Quality Eye Doctors in Iowa City
Doctor’s Note: If you need an eye exam to diagnose what you think might be myopia, stop in by McDonald Optical and get some of the best treatment around from our trusted Iowa City eye doctors.
Or, if you need corrective lenses, drop by McDonald Optical’s eyeglasses store, and we’ll be more than happy to fit you for the perfect pair today!
What Is Myopia?
Myopia, commonly referred to as nearsightedness, is blurred vision at long distances. This nearsightedness occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea, the outer protective layer of the eye, is too curved, preventing light entering the eye from focusing directly on the retina. This type of refractive error leads to blurred vision, especially with far-away objects.
Myopia Causes
High myopia, the most severe form of nearsightedness, occurs when the eyeball grows too much. This form of myopia can increase the chances of conditions such as cataracts, detached retina, and glaucoma.
Degenerative myopia, also called pathological or malignant myopia, is a rare form of nearsightedness inherited from family genetics. Hereditary nearsightedness occurs when the eyeball grows too quickly and is often discovered in teens or young adults. Degenerative nearsightedness can worsen with age, so it is crucial to monitor any changes to the eyes with a regular eye exam in order to treat nearsightedness correctly. Detached retina, abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye (choroid neovascularization), and glaucoma may be more likely to occur in patients with degenerative myopia.
Myopia Symptoms
Often the only symptom of myopia may be distant objects appearing blurry. This blurriness, however, can lead to other symptoms such as headaches, squinting, eye strain, and eye fatigue.
Myopia Treatments
An eye exam will show precisely the type of myopia a patient may be suffering from, and treatment will depend on the individual. Generally, treatment for nearsightedness is as simple as prescription eyeglass lenses or contact lenses. The prescription for patients with nearsightedness will be a negative number. The more negative the prescription, the more powerful the lenses will be. The goal of corrective lenses is to help keep the light that enters the eye focused on the retina.
Sometimes refractive surgery may be recommended to correct the refractive error causing nearsightedness. See more about corrective surgery on our Lasik Referrals page.
Contact McDonald Optical at (319)-359-3307 or Book Online Here.
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