Myopia Diagnosis & Different Treatment Options
What is Myopia?
Myopia is an eye condition where you can see objects that are near clearly while those that further appear blurry. It’s popularly known as nearsightedness. According to American Optometric Association statistics, more than 40% of Americans have Myopia.
There are proven myopia treatment options available. For effective visual correction, you ought to visit an eye care doctor near you. Dr. Allyson Tang Optometrist having myopia master in Vaughan, ON. Even though most doctors prescribe glasses and contact lenses, several other options are also effective.
Diagnosing Myopia
An optometrist first diagnoses Myopia before treating the condition. Your eye doctor may use a standard vision test or a comprehensive eye examination for diagnosis. The optometrist conducts a basic test by placing letters on a chart on one end of the room and requesting you to read them.
Alternatively, the optometrist may use some examination devices to determine whether you have Myopia. He or she may use a retinoscope to determine your eyeglass prescription. Based on how the light is reflected, the doctor can tell whether you are suffering from nearsightedness or farsightedness. The optometrist may also use a phoropter to determine the amount of refractive error in your eyes. The device also helps in prescription.
Types of Treatment Options for Myopia Treatment
Treatment options are divided into significant categories – surgical and non-surgical ones. Both Myopia treatment options are highly effective.
Prescription Lenses
Prescription lenses encompass both contact lenses and eyeglasses. They correct the visual focus in your eyes. In addition, they are a vast pool of lenses depending on the magnitude of your problem. They include bifocals, single vision, trifocals, and many more.
Unlike eyeglasses that have a custom frame, contact lenses are placed directly on the eye. Choosing between eyeglasses and contact lenses is mostly a matter of preference based on several issues such as comfort, design, and environment.
Low-dose Atropine Eye Drops
Atropine eye drops are primarily used for eye examinations to dilate the eyes. However, research indicates that low doses of atropine eye drops slows down the progression of Myopia. It is, therefore, an ideal treatment for children that show signs of Myopia.
Atropine is noninvasive, and the doctor customizes the treatment plan to suit individual requirements. However, usage of atropine may trigger allergic reactions in some people. The optometrist must rule out allergies before prescribing the treatment options.
Orthokeratology
Also known as ortho-k, it is a treatment therapy that corrects the eye’s curvature at a given time, thus reducing the irregularities caused by Myopia. It includes wearing gas-permeable contact lenses when sleeping.
When worn at night, they improve the visual clarity for the following day, and you repeat the cycle. It’s advisable to continue wearing them to maintain the newly gained curvature.
Refractive Eye Procedure
Refractive eye treatment is usually conducted if you want to be free from glasses or contact lens or if the other treatment options fail to yield substantial results. There are several methods of refractive eye treatment that can correct the curvature of the cornea.
Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis
It is commonly known as LASIK. It entails cutting a flap in the cornea and rebuilding the tissue below. Despite its wide popularity, not everyone can receive the procedure. It is not ideal for pregnant women, persons with chronic eye conditions, and autoimmune disorders.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
The eye doctor removes the cornea’s epithelium to pave the way for a new epithelium to grow. It’s ideal for mild to moderate cases of Myopia.
Conclusion
Even though Vaughan optometrist Dr. Allyson Tang is highly skilled and has many years of experience, she does not conduct surgeries. She uses the other treatment options to give you the best treatment experience.
In case you require surgery, she refers you to reputable eye clinics that conduct eye surgeries. You can trust her with your eyes. Book an appointment today and start the journey of gaining the ultimate visual clarity.