Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, affects 20 to 30 percent of the population. People with nearsightedness have difficulty seeing objects in the distance while close or nearby objects can be seen clearly. Nearsightedness runs in families and often occurs during childhood. Because nearsightedness usually occurs during childhood, young children may not realize that they are experiencing problems in their vision. Children with nearsightedness may squint, sit close to the television, hold books close when reading, blink excessively, rub their eyes frequently, or be unaware of distant objects. Nearsightedness may occur in children and adults at any time; because of this, it is important to undergo routine eye examinations. Fortunately for our Rapid City nearsightedness patients, there are effective treatments available today, including laser eye surgery.
Symptoms of Nearsightedness
Symptoms during the beginning stages of nearsightedness can be subtle. Symptoms of nearsightedness may also be signs of other eye conditions such as a developing cataract. In order to determine the cause of your symptoms, please schedule an eye examination. Common symptoms of nearsightedness include:
- Headaches: headaches are one of the most common symptoms of nearsightedness. Before treatment occurs, eye strain resulting from nearsightedness may cause frequent and constant headaches.
- Squinting: patients with nearsightedness may start to squint to see objects more clearly.
- Blurriness: objects in the distance appear blurry.
- Difficulty seeing when driving: difficulty seeing when driving, especially at night, is a common symptom of nearsightedness.
Causes of Nearsightedness
In patients with nearsightedness, the light rays that enter each eye are focused in the front of the retina instead of on the retina, which causes blurry vision. In the refractive error of nearsightedness, the cornea or lens of the eye has an uneven curve or is curved too much, or the eye is longer than normal. These flaws in the cornea and eye result in nearsightedness.
Treatment of Nearsightedness
In the past, the most common treatment of nearsightedness was prescription eyeglasses. For many patients, single-vision-lens eyeglasses are prescribed to provide clear vision at all distances. Fortunately, there is a larger selection of lens types and frame designs to choose from than ever before. Patients with nearsightedness who do not wish to wear eyeglasses may choose contact lenses instead. Rapid City laser eye surgery is a treatment option for patients with nearsightedness who do not want to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses.
At our practice in Rapid City, LASIK provides patients with nearsightedness a way to see clearly without the aid of eyeglasses or contact lenses. During the LASIK procedure, a small flap is created on the surface of the cornea. A laser is then used to reshape the underlying corneal tissue. Once the cornea has been reshaped, it will be able to focus light more efficiently and effectively.
