Myopia Treatment in Columbia
An estimated 40 percent of the United States population has myopia. This common eye condition can make it difficult to see and perform work and leisure activities, but fortunately it can be treated. Keep reading to learn more about myopia and how our Columbia optometrist, Dr. Matthew Daniels, can help you or your loved one living with this condition.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia, also called nearsightedness, is a vision condition that causes a person to have blurry vision when looking at things that are far away. Usually, a person with myopia can see things better when they're up close. This usually happens because either the eyeball is too long or the lens in the eye is too curved. Either of these abnormalities can cause the light entering the eye to focus on a spot in front of the retina (a light sensitive tissue that helps turn visual images into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for processing).
A person can be born with myopia or develop it over time due to modern day challenges like frequent computer or smartphone use.
Myopia Signs and Symptoms
In kids, one of the earliest warning signs of myopia is the inability to see items on the board in class or perform well in sports. This is an example of why undetected vision problems are often a contributing cause to learning or behavioral issues in school (and why regular pediatric eye exams are so beneficial for your kids!).
Other signs and symptoms of myopia include:
- Eye strain and fatigue, especially while driving
- Blurry vision when looking at things that are far away
- Headaches
How Our Columbia Optometrist Treats Myopia
Treatment for myopia focuses on correcting the refractive error so that light focuses properly on the retina. This will restore vision at far away distances and should help alleviate additional symptoms like eye fatigue and headaches. At our optometry clinic in Columbia, SC, our optometry staff offers a range of techniques that help correct and restore nearsightedness, including:
- Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Specialty contact lenses including MiSight myopia progression contacts, an innovative new treatment recently approved by the FDA to slow the development of myopia in children
- Consultations and post-operative care for eye surgery, including LASIK—a laser-assisted refractive surgery that can correct certain types of myopia
Do You Struggle with Distance Vision?
Contact Eyes on the Lake at (803) 667-4760 if you're looking for a Columbia optometrist you can entrust with your family's vision and eye care needs.