What is Myopia? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Nearsightedness, or in medical terms, myopia, is a refractive error caused by external light focusing in front of the retina instead of on it. This is a condition caused by the cornea being longer than normal and more curved than it should be. As a result, myopic individuals cannot see far away clearly.

Causes of Myopia

Farsightedness, which is common in most people, is likely to be genetic (inherited). Myopia can occur later. This risk increases in people who are busy reading, writing and working with computers. The length of time spent with digital devices such as smartphones, tablets and game consoles from a young age is also among the main reasons.

What Are the Symptoms of Myopia?

• Blurred vision of distant objects
• Squinting when looking away
• Headache and eye pain (due to eye strain)
• Not being able to select subtitles while watching TV
• Difficulty driving: inability to clearly read license plates and signs
• Difficulty seeing, especially at night

Symptoms of Myopia in Children

• Violation of symmetry in the eyes
• Trying to look closely at the blackboard in the classroom and the TV and computer screens at home
• Inability to perceive or see distant objects
• Squinting of the eyes
• Frequent blinking and rubbing of the eyes

How Is Myopia Diagnosed?

Myopia diagnosis is made by a specialist doctor as a result of necessary procedures and measurements during a comprehensive eye examination. At the first stage, a standard vision test is performed. Then the ophthalmologist uses the devices he needs. A "phoropter" is used to measure the refractive error of the eye, and a retinoscope is used to determine the refractive error. After determining the type of myopia, its degree is determined. Then appropriate treatment is started.

What are the Degrees of Myopia?

• Below 3 degrees - light
• Between 3-6 degrees - medium
• Above 6 degrees - high

Why Does Eye Level Increase?

Due to the elongation of the eye, the degree of weakness generally increases during the growth period and the growth stops at the age of 18-21 years. But after age 21, nearsightedness can continue to develop, especially in people who engage in close work activities such as reading, smartphone, tablet, and screen use, and this is called adult myopia. In the natural course of myopia, there is usually no spontaneous reduction.

Which Children Are Most at Risk?

Children under 10 years of age are at risk, so regular check-ups are very important. A child with one parent who is myopic is about 3 times more likely to have poor vision, and a child who has both parents is about 6 times more likely to have myopia. Children who spend less than 2 hours a day outdoors are at higher risk. Children who spend more than 2 hours per day looking at close distances (especially if they do so from a distance closer than 30 cm and for continuous periods) have an increased risk.

How is Myopia Treated?

Treatment for eye weakness may vary depending on its severity, age, and other factors. Glasses, contact lenses, laser surgery, and intraocular lens methods are used in its treatment.

The most commonly used method of treatment is glasses. Contact lenses provide a more natural look than glasses and can be more comfortable during sports or other activities. Excimer laser surgery is a direct and one-time treatment option. Intraocular lens treatment is another method. In this method, the operation is performed with phakic lenses (ICL) or smart lenses (Multifocal, Edof, Trifocal).

What Happens If a Person With Myopia Doesn't Wear Eye-glasses?

Wearing eyeglasses does not reduce the eye level. But when the glasses are not used, the degrees progress faster.

Treatment of Myopia with Laser and Intraocular Lenses

Laser and intraocular lens methods are widely used in the treatment of myopia. Laser surgery is one of the most commonly used methods. In this method, laser rays change the shape of the cornea and improve the eye's ability to focus. In the intraocular lens method, a special lens is placed in the eye and the focusing ability of the eye increases.