Myopia
Persons with nearsightedness have several options available to
regain clear distance vision.
They include:
>>-> Eyeglasses
>>-> Contact lenses
>>-> Laser vision correction (Lasik)
Eyeglasses are the primary choice of correction for persons with
nearsightedness. Generally, a single vision lens is prescribed to
provide clear vision at all distances. However, for patients over
about age 40, or children and adults whose nearsightedness is due to
the stress of near vision work, a bifocal or progressive addition
lens may be needed.
For some individuals, contact lenses can offer better vision than
eyeglasses. They may provide clearer vision and a wider field of
view. However, since contact lenses are worn directly on the eyes,
they require regular cleaning and care to safeguard eye health.
Nearsightedness can also be corrected by reshaping the cornea using
a laser beam of light. Two commonly used procedures are
photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis
(LASIK).
In PRK, a laser is used to remove a thin layer of tissue from the
surface of the cornea in order to change its shape and refocus light
entering the eye. There is a limit to how much tissue can safely be
removed and therefore the amount of nearsightedness that can be
corrected.
LASIK does not remove tissue from the surface of the cornea, but
from its inner layers. To do this, a section of the outer corneal
surface is lasered and folded back to expose the inner tissue. Then a
second laser is used to remove the precise amount of corneal tissue needed
to reshape the eye, and then the flap of outer tissue is placed back
in position to heal. The amount of nearsightedness that LASIK can
correct is limited by the amount of corneal tissue that can be
removed in a safe manner.
People who are highly nearsighted or whose corneas are too thin to
allow the use of laser procedures now have another option. They may
be able to have their nearsightedness surgically corrected by
implanting small lenses in their eyes. These intraocular lenses look
like small contact lenses and they provide the needed optical
correction directly inside the eye.
Vision therapy is an option for people whose blurred distance vision
is caused by a spasm of the muscles which control eye focusing.
Various eye exercises can be used to improve poor eye focusing
ability and regain clear distance vision.
People with nearsightedness have a variety of options to correct
their vision problem. In consultation with your eye care
professional, your can select the treatment that best meets you
visual and lifestyle needs.
For more information or to make an appointment call Zaffater Eye Center: 318-747-5838 or Toll Free: 866-480-3937.