Is Myopia Curable?

Myopia is an eye refractive error condition common to adults and children. Also referred to as nearsightedness, myopia results in blurry vision. It occurs when the light entering your eye focuses on the front of the retina instead of directly on it. It is often diagnosed during childhood when the eyes are growing fast. It can worsen until an individual reaches adulthood at around age 18.

 

Is Myopia a Serious Condition?

Yes, myopia is a serious condition. Myopia can increase the risk of vision-threatening eye conditions in the future. It is not just a statistic on an optical prescription requiring corrective lenses. When you have progressive myopia, your nearsightedness continues to worsen year after year. 

You are at a high risk of developing severe eye conditions when your myopia progresses fast. This is true with significant increases in optical prescription in a short period. Such conditions include glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

Treating Myopia

The primary treatment for nearsightedness is corrective contact lenses or eyeglasses. They help you see better by improving your vision clarity. However, they do not slow down the progression of the condition. The management of myopia can reduce its progression by close to 80 percent.

In a nutshell, myopia does not have a known cure yet. However, myopia management methods are an effective way of reducing the rate of myopia progression. In some instances, it can completely stop its progression, just not reverse the disease altogether.

Myopia Management Methods

Myopia management entails using treatments that can slow or stop myopia from worsening. They may include relaxing the eye's focus and altering the cornea's shape. It helps ease the fatigue and stress associated with myopia.

Additionally, myopia management plans are often individualized. They consider personal lifestyle, age, and current optical prescriptions. Optometrists recommend follow-up visits to facilitate the assessment of the treatment's helpfulness. It allows them to make the necessary adjustments.

Common Types of Myopia Treatments

There are three common types of myopia treatments. They are:

 

• Atropine Eyedrops - These eyedrops decrease the rate of myopia progression in kids. When applied in low doses before bedtime, they can help slow down worsening myopia
   

• Ortho-k - These are special contact lenses that reshape the cornea. They slow down myopia progression. It achieves clear vision by reshaping the eye's surface to focus light correctly. They are often worn while sleeping and removed when you wake up
   

• Multifocal Lenses - Soft contacts or eyeglasses that offer clear vision for all distances. These include far, intermediate, and near vision. Studies show multifocal lenses are effective in slowing myopia progression
  
   

Conclusion

Reversing myopia on your own is impossible, but you can help slow the progression. Changing your lifestyle can prevent it from worsening. By spending more time outside, your eyes get a chance to recover. You can also reduce your screen time and the amount of time you wear glasses. Also, schedule regular eye checkups with your optometrist. It helps detect and start treating myopia as soon as possible.

For more info on myopia treatment, contact San Marcos Vision Center at our San Marcos, Texas office. Call (512) 890-0660 to schedule an appointment today.