Myopia: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Nearsightedness

More widely known as nearsightedness, myopia is a common condition where the eyes have trouble focusing on objects in the distance, while close-up objects appear clear. In someone with normal vision, the eye typically functions with light traveling through the cornea and the lens (the front layers of the eye). These two layers work together to bend the light, so it hits the retina (the back layer of the eye). The retina then signals the brain to process the image. However, in someone with myopia, the eyes are not shaped properly, or in many cases are slightly larger, so when the light bends, it is sent in front of the retina, making it difficult to transfer the image to the brain, thus creating a blurry image¹.

Common Symptoms

Difficulty focusing on objects far away
Headaches
Eyestrain
Squinting¹

Risk Factors

In some cases, myopia can be a genetic condition. Children are more likely to develop myopia if a parent or another close family member has nearsightedness. However, there are other factors that can also increase one’s risk of developing myopia, such as spending too much time indoors—studies have shown that more exposure to the sun’s natural light decreases the chances of developing myopia.

Other factors that can contribute to the development of myopia include:

Performing a lot of close visual and/or intricate work
Prolonged use of electronic screens, such as a computer, TV, or hand-held device

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), there is a 30% higher risk of developing myopia from high levels of use of smart phones, or other digital devices and an 80% higher risk of myopia with extended exposure to computer screens².

Diagnosis

Myopia can be diagnosed during a regular eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. To test adults, the patient must read letters on a chart to see which letters they are capable of reading from a distance. With a small child who cannot read, a myopia test and diagnosis are conducted differently. This includes an eye chart that uses symbols, instead of letters, or allows the child to point in the same direction as the letter E. The optometrist or ophthalmologist may also use a retinoscope (an instrument that shines a light at the cornea) to estimate a prescription for correction of the nearsightedness.

Treatment

For those diagnosed with myopia, there are a few different treatment options that can help improve vision—both on a non-permanent and permanent basis.

Eyeglasses and contact lenses generally help to alleviate the visual struggles myopia can cause. Eyeglasses provide more flexibility, especially for those with milder cases, giving them a quick option to remove their eyeglasses when they require less distance correction or when participating in close-range activities (younger patients may not need to remove their eyeglasses for close work).

On the other hand, while contact lenses cannot be removed as quickly and conveniently as eyeglasses, they are a slightly more rounded solution prescribed to people who are more severely affected by nearsightedness since they are worn directly on the eyes, helping to reduce unwanted reflections. Contacts offer those with myopia generally clearer vision overall and a wider field of view².

Other more permanent treatment options include refractive surgeries like LASIK, Epi-LASIK, PRK, and SMILE (although eventual regression is possible). With these types of surgeries, the cornea of the eye is reshaped to adjust how light travels through it. In all cases, an ophthalmologist or optometrist will help the patient identify which treatment options are best for their visual and lifestyle needs¹.

Maintenance/Prevention

There are a few different things you can do to help prevent or slow the progression of myopia. For example, as mentioned previously, spending more time outdoors in natural light is one simple way to slow the progression of the condition. There are also specialty contact lenses that can be prescribed to children ages 6-12 to reduce nearsightedness. These help in refocusing the eyes to blur peripheral vision which is thought to help limit and slow the progression of myopia¹. There are also some eyedrops that may be prescribed that are intended to reduce the progression.

Overall, myopia is a very common condition that may be a result of genetics. However, in the modern digital age with increased exposure to computer screens and smartphones, myopia continues to affect greater numbers of people. As it continues to affect younger and younger ages, it is important to make sure you limit your childrens’ exposure to screens, and that they spend more time in natural sunlight, and schedule them for routine eye exams.

Here are some useful resources to help you better visualize myopia:

To find a list of eye care providers near you, you can use our NVA Eye Care Provider Search Tool on the Member Portal or the NVA Vision Benefits Mobile App.

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