Myopia

Myopia, which is commonly referred to as nearsightedness, is the most commonly diagnosed refractive error. While this condition affects people of all ages, the typical age of onset is between 6 and 14 years old. To accurately diagnose myopia and establish an effective course of care, it’s important to see a skilled vision care professional. At the office of Paul Thompson, OD, we provide comprehensive care to ensure healthy eyes and optimal vision for patients of all ages.

People who are nearsighted experience clear vision when viewing objects close up, while objects at a distance appear blurry. Although reading a book may not present any difficulties,  seeing road signs while driving is typically more challenging. Myopia occurs as a result of either the eyeball being too long or the cornea too sharply curved. These anomalies causes the eye to focus images in front of the retina, rather than on the surface of the retina. As a result the image of an object that is then sent to the brain is out of focus.

For individuals with myopia, difficulty seeing at a distance can lead to headaches, eye strain and squinting. Without eyeglasses, children that are nearsighted have a difficult time seeing what’s going on at the front of the classroom. This situation can lead to academic difficulties. Fortunately, once any type of refractive error is diagnosed, it can be readily corrected with prescription eyeglasses or contacts lenses as well as other options in care. Eyeglasses and contacts are the most popular choices for improving eyesight in people with myopia. Other options in care include LASIK surgery to permanently reshape the cornea or orthokeratology, which involves temporarily reshaping the cornea with specialized contact lenses that are worn only at night. 

At the office of Paul Thompson, OD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.

By Paul Thompson, OD

March 2, 2020