What is Myopia?
Most people know this term as near-sightedness. If you are near-sighted,
you have difficulty with seeing objects far away.
Why Myopia needs to be treated?
According to the National Eye Institute, 33% of the U.S. population are affected by myopia today. Its prevalence has increased over the past decades, leading to a growing concern among the public and scientific community. Myopia progression is due to the elongation of the eyeball, which results in the eyeball becoming egg-shaped. Myopia is often diagnosed at a young age. Individuals that are very near-sighted (>-6.00D) will have a greater risk of developing sight-threatening complications, i.e. myopic macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, retinal holes and tears, and retinal detachments.
Treatment Options
There are treatment options that can slow down the progression. With treatment, it is possible to preserve eyesight and prevent the vision from getting worse. Some treatment options are with soft multifocal contact lenses and/or orthokeratology. Orthokeratology is the use of a gas permeable lens to temporarily reshape the cornea.