Myopia (Nearsightedness) Treatment– Belmont, MA
Managing Myopia In Children & Adults
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common condition found in people under the age of 40. Studies report that both genetics and environmental factors play a role in the formation of the condition, but researchers aren’t entirely sure why it’s becoming more prominent among children and adults. Fortunately, Dr. Ajoian offers specialty contact lenses to help manage myopia, including Paragon CRT, Euclid, and MiSight. Read on to learn more about myopia (nearsightednesss) treatment in Belmont, MA.
Why Choose EyeSmile Optometry & Dental Care
of Belmont for Myopia Treatment?
- 3 Different Myopia Treatment Options
-
Precisely-Fitted
Ortho-K Lenses -
Treating Patients
of All Ages
Myopia Symptoms
If you’re nearsighted, you’ll have a harder time reading objects like road signs and subtitles from across the room, but you’ll be able to see close-up objects like text in books and Facebook posts on the computer screen more clearly. Here are some other symptoms of myopia that you may experience:
- Eye strain
- Squinting
- Headaches
- Fatigue when driving
Controlling Myopia
Dr. Ajoian provides specialty myopia management contact lenses and eyeglasses that can help control the progression of this condition so you won’t need stronger glasses over the years. We offer several different options to help provide the best results.
Bifocal/PAL glasses
Bifocals and progressive eyeglass lenses can address the changes in your eyesight clarity when you look up to distinguish something that’s far away, and when you look down to see something close-up. They contain multiple prescriptions, so no matter where your eyes are looking through the lenses, you’ll be able to see clearly.
Corneal Refractive Therapy (Orthokeratology / Ortho-K)
Specialty Ortho-k lenses can help slow the progression of childhood myopia to correct and control nearsightedness. After worn while resting, you should awake with corrected vision and see well without the help of glasses or contact lenses for the day.
Pharmaceutical Medications
Atropine eye drops have also been used to control myopia. This prescribed solution has been used for several years and has achieved effective short-term results.
Degenerative Myopia
The seventh leading cause of legal blindness in the United States population is degenerative myopia. It’s one of the most severe and rapidly progressing forms of myopia that is known to cause retinal thinning. Typically, patients with this condition notice decreased vision, headaches, and sensitivity to light. Although there is no current therapy to stop the retina from thinning, we do offer several solutions to restore your quality of life.
Myopia FAQs
Lots of people are nearsighted, but how much do you really know about this condition? We’re always happy to teach our patients more about how their eyes work and what they need to do to manage their myopia effectively. We can answer any vision questions you have during your regular appointments, but of course you’re always free to call us at any time if you have concerns that you want to address right away. Below are some common questions that we hear when discussing myopia.
What Causes Myopia in the First Place?
Myopia is the result of a lengthened eyeball or an overly curved cornea. This affects the way the eye receives light, causing it to bend and concentrate in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Heredity is generally one of the biggest risk factors when it comes to myopia; if your parents were nearsighted, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be nearsighted as well. The condition usually manifests during childhood, but sometimes it doesn’t develop until the adult years.
Will Myopia Get Worse Over Time?
It varies from case to case, but generally, the answer depends on your age. For most people, myopia begins in childhood and grows worse during adolescence, but it stabilizes by early adulthood. This is because the eyes are still growing during childhood, but they’re completely developed by the time you reach the age of 20. As such, your vision generally won’t change much until you turn 40. It may appear to temporarily get worse due to changes on the surface of the cornea, such as dryness or an injury; treating these issues properly is key to making sure myopia doesn’t grow worse over time. If nearsightedness starts getting worse over the age of 60, it may be a sign that you have cataracts.
Is Untreated Myopia Dangerous?
Myopia has been known to cause headaches and fatigue in people when they try to focus their eyes. Also, it generally worsens vision to the point where you won’t be able to drive safely without your glasses or contact lenses. The most dangerous aspect of myopia, however, is that it can put you at a higher risk for retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma; all of these conditions can result in blindness if not treated. Call our office immediately if you notice worrisome symptoms.
How Will I Know If My Child is Nearsighted?
Sometimes your child will let you know that they’re having trouble seeing things clearly. They might also develop a tendency to sit closer to screens or whiteboards so that they can see them properly. These are signs that you should set up an appointment at EyeSmile so that we can perform an eye exam. This will allow us to confirm whether your child has myopia and, if they do, determine the type of treatment that can be used to correct it. It’s better to deal with potential vision problems early before they start to interfere with your little one’s academic performance.
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