7 Commonly Asked Questions on Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia, commonly referred to as nearsightedness, is a common vision condition in which near objects appear clear while things far away appear blurry. In severe myopia, both near and distant objects can appear blurry.

Uncorrected myopia can affect your vision and eye health in several ways. For instance, it can cause difficulties in reading and learning, eye strain, and participation in social activities, and even lead to sight-threatening complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.

To help you understand myopia better, below are answers to 7 commonly asked questions about myopia that you should know.

• What is the Main Cause of Myopia?

Nearsightedness can happen due to several reasons. For instance, it can occur when the shape of your eyeball is more than normal. Also, it can happen due to a change in the cornea or eye lens. These factors cause the light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

Think of it as a misdirected spotlight. The right object will appear blurry if focused on the wrong spot in the distance. Usually, myopia begins in childhood from ages 6 – 12. Its progression is slower after teenage, at around 20 years

• Can Myopia be Corrected Naturally?

Generally, natural remedies can improve a variety of medical conditions, including myopia. While there is no credible scientific evidence behind this, specific eye exercises strengthen your eyes, improving muscle tone and blood circulation, thus reducing symptoms like discomfort, irritation, and eye strain. Certain foods also contain essential minerals and vitamins that can improve your eye health.

However, it’s worth noting that natural remedies won’t cure myopia. They will only minimize your symptoms. Therefore, speaking to your eye doctor for proper treatment is essential.

• Does Myopia Worsen with Age?

Myopia can worsen with age. It progresses rapidly in the pre-and teenage years when the body grows quickly. In most cases, it levels at age 20. In adulthood, myopia diagnosis or progression is caused by diseases like diabetes, cataracts, visual stress, or strain caused by spending too much time on up-close activities like computer work or reading. Therefore, adults experiencing sudden myopia and other symptoms like flashes of light, floaters, and sudden sight loss should see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Contact Dr. Allyson Tang, Optometrist – Vaughan, for myopia management near you.

• Is Myopia Genetic?

If you have nearsightedness, likely one or both of your parents did too. While there isn’t an exact known cause of myopia, it’s believed it could be caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. The risk is even higher if you spend much time on close-up works like working on a computer.

• Can Myopia Cause Blindness?

In rare cases, myopia can lead to blindness.  However, this majorly depends on the severity of your condition. While most people develop low and moderate myopia, about 2- 12% of the population have high myopia. High myopia can be severe and can cause legal blindness. Therefore, seeking treatment as soon as you notice any symptoms is essential.

Uncorrected myopia generally increases your risk of blindness through other diseases or disorders, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinal detachment. With the proper myopia management in Vaughan, your risk of myopia-related blindness is significantly reduced.

• Can Screen usage Cause Myopia?

Recent studies have shown a close relation between nearsightedness, myopia, and other eye problems such as blurred vision, eye strain, sleep disruption, and headaches. In the US, cases of myopia in children have increased by 50% in the past 50 years. Cases of myopia in adults have also increased. These increases are in conjunction with the digital age.

To prevent or reduce the risk of developing myopia, we recommend using the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, when using a computer, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Also, blink often, adjust the lighting, reduce glare, and adjust the monitor to a reasonable distance. Also, use sunglasses for UV protection.

• What Causes Myopia to get Worse in Adults?

While it’s rare for myopia to worsen past 20 years, it can. However, it can happen due to factors such as underlying health or eye conditions like diabetes and cataracts, visual stress related to digital devices, or environmental factors.

Conclusion

While myopia is unlikely to cause severe issues like blindness, it can significantly affect your vision and day-to-day activities and cause eye discomfort, headaches, and other symptoms. Our optometrist in Vaughan, ON, can help correct your condition and restore proper vision.