NORDEN

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, occurs when a person sees an object clearly close up, while distant objects appear blurred or fuzzy. This condition is incredibly common, effecting approximately 20 – 30 percent of the population in varying degrees.

For people with normal vision, light rays enter the eye and are bent by the cornea and lens. This allows the light to focus directly on the retina and provide a clear image. In the myopic eye, the focusing power of the cornea and the lens is overcompensated with respect to the length of the eye. This causes the light rays to bend too much. They end up crossing in front of the retina instead. This triggers a problem known as a refractive error, and in turn, this creates the blurry image.

There is some debate as to where myopia comes from. The two main thoughts are that it is either hereditary or acquired during the course of one’s life. Although there is no conclusive proof to substantiate or disprove either theory, it is true that myopia is most commonly developed in childhood and usually plateaus as the individual ages.

Other than blurry or fuzzy vision, the most common symptoms of myopia are headaches, eyestrain, squinting or eye fatigue. Symptoms are most often triggered when the individual is driving, playing sports or looking at objects more than a few feet away. Any eye doctor using a standard eye exam can easily diagnose myopia.

Depending on the severity of the condition, nearsightedness has many potential treatments. The most common remedies involve wearing prescription glasses or contact lens. These usually have a “negative” number, such as -2.00, and while not a permanent solution, they do not require any form of surgery.

There are, however, multiple laser based procedures that are worth considering. The most commonly known process is called LASIK or custom LASIK eye surgery. New Jersey LASIK surgery surgery specialist Dr. Richard Norden uses the procedure to remove tissue from the cornea, thereby improving an individual’s vision for both near and far objects. Another is called photorefractive keratectomy (usually referred to as PRK), where the laser is used to flatten the cornea and correct the refractive distance. A third treatment uses corneal rings, called Intacs. These are implanted into the eye to alter the shape of the cornea. Any of these procedures can reduce or even eliminate dependence on glasses or contact lenses, partially or completely curing the myopia.

Other specialized and less common procedures do exist. The best course of action for any individual suffering from nearsightedness is to consult with an eye care professional. An eye doctor will help to determine which form of treatment is best for you. With the rapid advancement of technology, many of the risks involved in these procedures are minimal, and new procedures are frequently developed.