Myopia

Imagine trying to see objects from far-off horizons only to find them blurred beyond recognition. This condition is known as myopia or nearsightedness, a common problem affecting millions of people, which leaves its mark on people of all ages. It is an eye condition which is acquired with time and is possibly caused by genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including prolonged work under the focal length of the eye. 

1.0What Is Myopia?

Myopia or nearsightedness is a refractive error of the eye in which a person can not clearly see a distant object and appears blurry. The condition happens when light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina instead of directly on it. The retina is the part of the eye which is responsible for receiving light and sending visual signals in terms of electrical waves to the brain. This misleading focus of light leads to a blurry vision for far objects. 

2.0Science Behind Myopia

To understand myopia or any other vision problem, it is essential to understand the process of seeing and what it involves. The process of sighting involves the bending of light like in a normal lens, convex in the case of the eye. In a normal eye, the light enters the eye through the cornea and is bent through the pupil, travels along the aqueous and vitreous humour and then focuses on the retina. 

However, in a myopic eye, the light entering the eye doesn’t focus on the retina; rather, it focuses in front of the retina, causing vision problems. Besides, the refractive power, which refers to the amount of light refracted as it enters the eye, is very strong in myopia. This results in the early convergence of light, leading to blurry vision.  

The reason behind this misfocusing occurs due to two main factors, that are: 

• Axial Length of the Eye: The most frequent reason for myopia is the lengthening of the eyeball. In a myopic eye, the eyeball is longer than usual, and this makes light rays converge in front of the retina.
• The curvature of the Lens or Cornea: The lens or cornea of a myopic eye is more curved than that of a normal eye, which bends light too much and focuses in front of the retina.

3.0Causes Of Myopia

The causes of myopia can differ from person to person. But there are several common factors that contribute to the development of this problem in an individual, which include:  

• Genetic Factors: A history of myopia in the family greatly raises the risk of getting the condition. Kids with one or both parents who are nearsighted are more likely to be myopic themselves. This indicates that genetic factors are largely responsible for the development of myopia.
• Continuous Near Vision Work: Working on near tasks continuously, like reading, working with computers, or playing digital devices, can also cause myopia. The eyes are subjected to stress during this work, especially if done incessantly.
• Limited Outdoor Activities: Research has established that children who spend more time outside are less likely to have myopia. The natural light and distant focusing are thought to prevent or retard the development of myopia.
• Age: Myopia usually starts in childhood and tends to worsen as the eyes keep growing. Usually, the condition stabilises in early adulthood, but some people may develop changes in their vision later in life.
• Other Factors: Poor diet, insufficient sleep, and prolonged screen time are also thought to be factors that cause eye strain, which can raise the risk of developing myopia.

4.0Symptoms Of Myopia

With some common symptoms, myopia is quite easy to detect. Consult with an eye specialist for proper care and an eye exam if you detect any of the following symptoms: 

• Blurred Distance Vision: As mentioned previously, the most common symptom of myopia is blurry vision when observing objects at a distance. For instance, street signs, a classroom chalkboard, or far-away faces become indistinct.
• Squinting: Myopic individuals might squint their eyes in a desperate effort to bring distant objects into sharper focus. Squinting can also reduce the intensity of light entering the eyes, which might enhance focus.
• Eye Strain: Prolonged periods of near work, like reading or working on digital devices, can lead to strain and eye discomfort. This discomfort can be accompanied by headaches.
• Frequent Prescription Changes: If left untreated, myopia can continue to worsen over time, necessitating frequent revisions to corrective prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses.
• Headaches: The stress induced by attempting to concentrate on objects far away can cause frequent headaches, particularly after prolonged periods of concentration, such as reading or computer usage.

5.0Corrections For Myopia

The method used for the correction of blurred vision in refractive problems is selected based on the individuals’ own choice and need, with the most common corrective options being: 

1. Eyeglasses: The simplest and most common method of myopia is the use of eyeglasses with concave (negative) lenses. These disperse the incoming light so that it can be focused correctly on the retina and improve far vision.

2. Contact Lenses: Contact lenses also become a popular option among myopia sufferers. They work in the same way as eyeglasses by providing corrective lenses to refract light properly on the retina. 

3. Refractive Surgery: LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and other refraction operations are done to change the shape of the cornea to correct myopia. The operation entails the elimination of tissue on the cornea with a laser to enable light to focus properly on the retina. 

4. Orthokeratology: Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, is the process of wearing specially fitted rigid gas-permeable contact lenses at night. The lenses temporarily change the shape of the cornea so that one can see the following day without the use of glasses or contact lenses. However, the effects do not last and have to be repeated regularly.