Myopia (nearsightedness) is prevalent. One out of two people (50%) has it. With myopia, the eye is longer than usual from front to back, or the cornea (the clear window at the front of the eye) is too steeply curved. This makes things that far away appear blurry. Myopia treatment is corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Having myopia increases your chances of having eye problems later, like cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.
Studies show myopia is becoming more common among children in Calgary. While there is no proven direct link, research suggests that children who spend more time indoors doing near-focused activities (such as computer work, video games, and reading) have higher myopia rates than those who spend more time outdoors.
Doctors in Calgary are looking at ways to slow the progression of myopia in children. While it cannot be reversed, the goal of myopia treatment in Calgary is to prevent its progress. This can protect a child’s eye health in the future, despite still needing to wear glasses or contact lenses.
There is no best method for correcting myopia. The most appropriate correction for you depends on your eyes and your lifestyle. Discuss this with your ophthalmologist in Calgary. Together, you can decide which correction may be most effective for you.
Eyeglasses or contact lenses are the most common methods of correcting myopia. They work by refocusing light rays on the retina, compensating for the shape of your eye. Eyeglasses can also help protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light rays. A special lens coating that screens out UV light is available.
MiSight (Cooper vision) is a daily disposable contact lens that clarifies vision while slowing down myopia progression. They are worn like any regular daily disposable contact lenses and are disposed of at the end of the day. As with standard soft contact lenses, there is a slim chance of bacterial infection, mitigated with proper hygiene and lens wear schedule.
MyoVision (ZEISS) is a specialized type of lens that is designed to slow myopia progression. They work similar in concept to MiSight Contact Lenses.
In many cases, people may choose to correct myopia with LASIK or another form of refractive surgery. These surgical procedures improve your vision by reshaping the cornea. The reshaped cornea focuses light properly onto the retina.
Refractive surgeries for myopia include: