Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error that makes distant objects appear blurred or fuzzy. However, people with myopia can see nearby things quite clearly. Myopia is very common. The American Optometric Association estimates that about 30 percent of people in the U.S. are nearsighted. An optometrist and ophthalmologist can diagnose this condition through an eye exam. 

Causes

The structure of your eye is often to blame when you have myopia. An excessively long eyeball or overly curved cornea prevents the light that enters your eye from focusing correctly. That causes images to focus in front of the retina instead of directly in it, causing blurred vision. 

High Myopia

High myopia is a more severe form of nearsightedness, characterized by excessive eyeball elongation from front to back. It makes it difficult to see distant objects, increasing the risk of developing complications like cataracts, detached retinas, and glaucoma.

Degenerative Myopia

Medically known as malignant or pathological myopia, degenerative myopia is a rare form of nearsightedness. People usually inherit it from their parents. It is a condition where the eyeball elongates very quickly, usually by the teen or early adult years. People with degenerative myopia typically have a higher chance of having glaucoma, choroid neovascularization, and a detached retina.

Symptoms of Myopia

Besides finding it difficult to see distant objects clearly, you may also experience the following symptoms:

• Eyestrain.
• Headaches.
• Eye fatigue.
• Squinting.

You may not notice any symptoms if your condition is mild. You may even mistake your nearsightedness with normal vision. 

Risk Factors for Myopia

Anyone can develop myopia. It is often hereditary and begins in childhood when the eyes start to grow rapidly. Nearsightedness tends to worsen as kids approach their teenage years and typically stabilizes by the age of 20. Risk factors include:

• Family history.
• Age.
• Frequent visual stress.
• Diabetes.
• Excessive use of digital screens.
• Less time spent outdoors.

Myopia Control

Doctors and parents can take specific steps to slow myopia progression in kids. Myopia control does more than prevent the condition from worsening in kids. It can reduce their risk of developing severe eye and visual conditions later in life. Eye doctors typically prescribe four main categories of myopia control. These include myopia control eyeglasses, contact lenses, orthokeratology, and atropine eye drops. 

Also, adjusting your daily habits can reduce your risk of progressive nearsightedness. That includes reducing near-work activities, taking frequent vision breaks, and spending more time outdoors. 

Progressive nearsightedness is myopia gradually worsening, leading to severe or high myopia. Having this condition can significantly increase your risk of developing vision-threatening complications. These include glaucoma, retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, pathological myopia, and cataracts. Myopia control measures can help reduce the risk of developing these complications. 

Conclusion

There is no cure for nearsightedness, but there are ways to control how fast it progresses or develops. Myopia control is crucial because it can help keep your little one from developing high myopia. Management of this condition includes all eye health care nearsighted people might need. It ranges from diagnosing nearsightedness in childhood to managing its complications in adulthood. 

For more on myopia progression management, please visit Palo Alto Eyes Optometry at our Palo Alto, California office. Call (650) 321-2015 to schedule an appointment today.