Can't you see far away too? Let's learn about Myopia (Nearsightedness) in simple terms!

Have you ever had this happen to you? When you're walking down the street, it's hard to read a sign that's far away, but when you're reading a book or newspaper nearby, you can see it clearly without any problems. Or when you're watching TV, you have to move a little closer to see it. If this is common to you, then you may have a condition called 'Myopia'. Let's talk about this in more detail today.

What is Myopia?

Myopia is actually the name doctors give to this condition. Some people also call it 'nearsightedness'. Simply put, this means that you can see things that are close to you clearly, but things that are far away are blurry and unclear . Think about it, when you're driving, you can only read a sign on the side of the road when it's really close. It's something like that.

This condition called myopia is actually common among many people. It is a problem with the focusing of the eye. But there is nothing to worry about, it can usually be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or sometimes surgery.

How common is this condition?

Myopia is very common. According to one survey, more than 40% of people in the United States alone have this condition. Sadly, this number is increasing day by day, especially among school-age children . Eye specialists believe that this condition will increase even more in the next few years.

It is also said that about one in four parents has a child with myopia. Some eye specialists believe that if your child spends a lot of time reading books, or is constantly engaged in near activities such as using a phone or computer, the risk of developing myopia may increase.

Are there types of myopia?

Eye specialists divide myopia into two main categories:

1. Simple Myopia

2. Pathologic Myopia

This 'pathologic myopia' was previously called 'degenerative myopia'. People with simple myopia can achieve clear vision with glasses or contact lenses. However, people with pathological myopia may sometimes have difficulty achieving completely clear vision even with corrective lenses.

What are the symptoms of myopia?

Okay, so what are the symptoms if you have myopia? Let's see.

• Things that are far away appear blurry and unclear , but things that are close up are clearly visible.
• Frequent headaches .
• Eye strain .
• Trying to see from a distance by narrowing your eyes (squinting) .
• Feeling tired when driving, playing, or looking more than a few feet away.

See if your child has these symptoms:

If your child has myopia, they may also show these symptoms. Be on the lookout for these:

• Decreased ability in schoolwork , for example, difficulty writing on the blackboard.
• Difficulty maintaining attention (shortened attention span).
• Holding things like books and toys very close to the face .

But remember, in most cases, myopia is not a serious condition and can be easily controlled with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

What are the causes of myopia?

If you have myopia, it's likely that either your mother or father, or both, have the condition. That means it's likely to be hereditary .

Eye specialists still don't know for sure what exactly causes myopia, but they believe it's caused by a combination of both hereditary and environmental factors .

Simply put, you can inherit the ability to develop myopia. Then, your lifestyle, that is, the way you use your eyes, can cause myopia if it is adjusted to that. For example, if you read a lot of books, if you work on the computer for a long time, that is, if you do a lot of close-up work , you are likely to develop myopia.

Myopia usually appears in childhood. In most cases, the condition may increase slightly during childhood, but it usually stabilizes by the end of the teenage years .

What's really happening here is that the light that reaches your eye is not focused properly. That's why images appear blurry. Think of it like a flashlight pointed in the wrong direction . If you aim the flashlight at something far away, it won't be visible clearly. That's what's happening here.

Who is more likely to develop this? (Risk factors)

There are several risk factors that can contribute to the development of myopia. Let's take a look at what they are:

• Having myopia in the family (such as mother, father, siblings).
• Reading books, staring at screens like phones and computers means spending more time doing close-up work.
• Less time spent outdoors, playing outside, etc. Some studies suggest that this may also be a cause of myopia.
• This condition is more common in people of certain ethnicities.

Can myopia cause other complications?

We often say that myopia can be treated with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery such as LASIK. However, some people have 'pathologic myopia', which can lead to more serious eye diseases . This risk is especially high for people with 'pathologic myopia'. Then:

• Cataracts.
• Glaucoma condition.
• Optic Neuropathy.
• The formation of new, unwanted blood vessels (neovascularization) inside the eye.
• Retinal detachment.

Such serious situations can occur.

High Myopia can occur because your child's eyeball is too long or because the cornea, the transparent part of the front of the eye, is too steeply curved.

How to diagnose myopia?

An eye care provider can diagnose myopia with a standard eye exam . Myopia is often diagnosed in childhood. However, sometimes myopia can develop in adults, especially when working in a job that puts a lot of strain on the eyes (visual stress) or due to medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus.

How to check an adult's eyes:

When testing an adult for myopia, the doctor will first look at how well your eyes focus light. Then they will measure the power of the correct lenses you need. First, they will have you read an eye chart to measure your visual acuity , or how sharp your vision is. Then, they will use a lighted instrument called a retinoscope to measure how light is reflected from your retina. The doctor may also use a device called a phoropter . This is used to measure the amount of refractive error in your eye by placing different lenses in front of your eyes. This is how you will find the correct lens strength.

How to check a child's eyes:

Your child's eyes should be checked by your pediatrician at every well-child visit. If possible, it's a good idea to have your child's first eye exam before they turn one year old . If your child doesn't have any vision problems, have them checked again before they start kindergarten.

Because myopia runs in families, it's important to get your child's eyes checked early if someone in your family has vision problems. If you or your pediatrician notices any problems with your child's vision, they will refer your child to an optometrist or pediatric ophthalmologist.

When examining children's eyes, the doctor will physically examine the child's eyes and check whether their light reflex is normal. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 may be tested using letter boards, pictures, letters, or a method called the "Tumbling E game" (also called the "Random E's Visual Acuity Test").

Because your child's vision continues to change as they grow, it's a good idea to have your child's vision checked by a pediatrician or ophthalmologist before they start first grade and at least every two years after that . Many schools offer eye screenings, but they may not be comprehensive enough to accurately detect conditions like myopia. Doctors often diagnose myopia in children between the ages of 3 and 12 .

Your doctor may use the terms 'mild myopia', 'moderate myopia' or 'high myopia'. These refer to the degree of myopia you have, based on your refractive error. Refractive errors are problems with the natural shape of your eyes that cause blurred vision. A person can have myopia along with other refractive errors, such as astigmatism.

What are the treatments for myopia?

Both children and adults with myopia can have their vision corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses . There are also several types of refractive surgeries that correct vision only in adults (and very rarely in children).

When you have myopia, your prescription for glasses or contact lenses is a negative number (like -3.00). The higher the number, the more powerful your lenses are . This prescription helps your eye focus light properly on the retina, making distance vision clear.

There are several treatment methods:

• Eyeglasses: The most popular treatment for myopia is glasses. Depending on the amount of vision correction you need, you may need to wear glasses all the time, or only when you need to see far away. You may need glasses only to drive. Some children with myopia may only need glasses to play ball, watch a movie, or look at the blackboard. But some people need to wear glasses all the time to see clearly. A single-vision lens corrects farsightedness. However, people over the age of 40 with myopia may need a bifocal lens or a progressive lens to see clearly both near and far.
• Contact Lenses: Some people find that wearing contact lenses makes their distance vision sharper and allows them to see more clearly. However, they require a little extra effort to keep them clean. Ask your doctor about the type that is best for your level of myopia and other refractive errors.
• Ortho-K or CRT (Corneal Refractive Therapy): This method may be suitable for some people with mild myopia. This involves wearing a special type of contact lens (corneal refractive contact lenses) while you sleep. This temporarily changes the shape of your cornea, giving you clear vision long enough to function during the day.
• LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis): This is the most common surgery to correct myopia. In LASIK, the eye surgeon uses a laser beam to cut a thin flap over your cornea, reshape the corneal tissue inside, and then put the flap back in place.
• LASEK (Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy): In LASEK surgery, the eye surgeon uses a laser beam to cut only the top layer (epithelium) of your cornea, reshapes the outer layers, and closes the flap.
• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): PRK is a type of laser eye surgery used to correct mild to moderate myopia. It can also correct farsightedness and/or astigmatism. During PRK, the eye surgeon removes the front surface of your cornea and reshapes it with a laser. This flattens it so that light rays can focus on the retina. Unlike LASIK, the doctor does not cut a flap. The top layer of your cornea grows back in a week or two. PRK is better for people with thin or rough corneas because it causes less damage to the corneal tissue than LASIK.
• Phakic Intraocular Lenses: This is a good option for people with high myopia, or for people whose corneas are too thin to undergo PRK or LASIK. The doctor implants these phakic intraocular lenses inside your eye, in front of your natural lens.
• Intraocular Lens Implant: This is where an eye surgeon removes your natural lens and inserts a new one into your eye. This surgery is done before a cataract develops.
• Vision Therapy: This is an option if your myopia is caused by spasms in your focusing muscles. Eye exercises can help strengthen these muscles and improve your ability to focus. However, this treatment is not suitable for everyone with myopia. After an eye exam, your eye surgeon will tell you if this is right for you.

What to expect when living with myopia?

Myopia is not a condition that just goes away. The main treatment is glasses or contact lenses. You may also be able to correct your vision with surgery.

The outlook for someone with myopia can vary depending on the type of myopia. Generally, 'Simple Myopia' can be easily treated. However, if you have the rare 'High Myopia' or 'Pathologic Myopia', your situation may be a little different.

High Myopia usually stops getting worse between the ages of 20 and 30. You can continue to wear glasses or contact lenses, or you can have surgery. However, High Myopia can lead to 'pathologic myopia', which can lead to more serious vision problems later in life. These complications can even lead to vision loss .

Therefore, it is important for everyone to have regular eye exams. But it is especially important if you have high myopia or pathological myopia . Get your eyes checked according to the schedule your eye doctor recommends.

Can myopia be prevented or the risk reduced?

Myopia runs in families, so it can't be completely prevented. However, there are some ways you can help reduce your risk of developing myopia.

Some eye specialists believe that you or your child can reduce their risk of developing myopia by spending enough time outdoors, limiting the amount of time in front of screens , and being mindful of the amount of time spent doing close work, such as reading and sewing.

How can I prevent myopia from getting worse?

Although there is no specific cure for myopia, there are things you can do in your daily life to help your overall eye health. These days, it's especially important to limit eye strain, especially for your children (and yourself).

Try to follow these simple tips to protect your eyesight:

• Limit the time you spend using digital devices (phones, computers, tablets, etc.)
• When looking at the screen, take screen breaks and exercise your eye muscles (like looking into the distance, moving your eyes around).
• Do not read or work in dim light.
• Go outside, wear sunglasses when you're outside.
• Wear protective eye gear when playing/engaging in recreational activities.
• If you smoke, stop.
• Get your eyes checked at regular intervals.
• Ask your doctor about atropine eye drops, which can help control the progression of myopia.
• Ask your doctor about dual-focus contact lenses, which can help control the progression of myopia in children.

What should you eat to keep your eyes healthy?

Our eyes all need nutrients from the foods we eat to maintain their vital tissues and function. Nutrition is especially important when your child's eyes are developing. In addition to limiting caffeinated beverages and sugary drinks, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Also, try to eat foods rich in these nutrients:

• Vitamin A: To keep the surface of the eyes healthy and maintain good vision, you need enough vitamin A, an antioxidant, in your diet. There are foods rich in vitamin A that suit every diet. Vegetables include sweet potatoes, green leafy vegetables, and carrots. Animal foods include cheese, oily fish, and liver.
• Vitamin C: The best foods to get your daily dose of vitamin C are fruits and vegetables. Things like oranges, grapes, strawberries, and broccoli.
• Lutein: Eat green leafy vegetables to get enough lutein, which helps the eyes filter out harmful blue light that can damage the retina.

If you or your child are concerned that you are not getting enough vitamins and minerals, you can take a multivitamin. But remember, vitamins taken in pill form are not absorbed as well as those found naturally in food . It is also important to talk to your doctor before starting any supplements.

Keeping your and your family's vision safe means getting regular eye exams, following a good eye care routine, and eating a healthy diet. Maintaining these good habits will help you all see a future filled with the things you love.

When should you see a doctor?

It's important for everyone to have their eyes checked regularly. Especially if you notice any changes in your vision, be sure to see an eye doctor.

If you have children and they squint excessively, or look at things up close , make an appointment to see a doctor.

If you suddenly lose your vision, or if you suddenly see more and more floaters or flashes of light, seek medical advice immediately. Some conditions, such as retinal detachment, are medical emergencies .

Does myopia increase with age?

Yes, it can. Especially during pre-teen and teen years when the body is growing rapidly (growth spurts) . Myopia usually levels off around the age of 20. Myopia can also be diagnosed in adulthood. This usually happens due to visual stress, diabetes mellitus, or cataracts .

Spending too much time doing up-close activities, such as reading or working on the computer, can cause visual stress on your eyes. Eye specialists believe that this overuse can cause your focusing muscles to become stuck in 'near gear'.

If you are an adult, if you suddenly experience a decrease in distance vision, see floaters, flashes of light, or shadows before your eyes, or if you suddenly lose vision in one eye, see an eye doctor immediately to rule out a more serious health condition.

Finally, the most important things to remember

Myopia is a condition in which you have difficulty seeing far away, but can see clearly up close. It is very common, especially among children. Don't worry, there are good treatments for it. Glasses, contact lenses, and even some surgeries can be done.

The most important thing is to have your eyes checked regularly , especially your children's eyes. The sooner you recognize this, the easier it is to control.

Don't forget to give your eyes a break when reading books, using your phone, or using the computer. Spend as much time outdoors as possible. Eat good, nutritious food.

If you notice a sudden change in your vision, such as black spots floating in front of your eyes or seeing lights, be sure to see a doctor immediately. This could be an emergency.

So, take care of your eyes. Because, we only have these two eyes to see the beautiful things in this world!

` Myopia, nearsightedness, eyesight, glasses, contact lenses, LASIK, eye health