How Is Myopia Diagnosed and Treated?

Myopia is a common vision problem that occurs when your eyeball is too long, or the cornea is too curved. This makes it difficult to see most objects far away, so people often wear glasses or contact lenses to help them focus. Myopia generally starts appearing around puberty and continues to develop into adulthood.

A simple eye exam can determine if someone has nearsighted vision. In some cases, laser eye surgery can be used to address it. If you or a loved one suspect they have myopia, reach out to The Eye Center of Southern Indiana in Bloomington, IN. Our team of eye doctors can answer your questions and explore potential vision correction treatments.

What causes myopia?

Myopia is caused by an eye that's too long or a cornea with too much curvature. This means any light entering the eye will focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This condition can run in families, so if one of your parents has myopia, you are likely to develop it as well.

Severe cases of myopia can increase your risk of developing other eye issues, like retinal detachment, vitreous floaters, glaucoma, and cataracts in the future. You can prevent these conditions and more by attending regular exams with an eye doctor.

What are the symptoms of myopia?

A common symptom of myopia is difficulty seeing objects that are far away. For example, patients have a hard time driving because street signs tend to be blurry. Other symptoms of nearsighted vision in Bloomington may include:

• Headaches

• Eye strain or fatigue (particularly when focusing on faraway objects)

• Blurred vision

• Frequent squinting

How is myopia diagnosed?

The Eye Center of Southern Indiana routinely performs eye exams to help determine a patient's eye health. During this routine appointment, we use several different types of technology to screen for nearsighted vision. This includes using tools to test how your retinas refract light. If you're diagnosed with myopia, our eye doctors can discuss easy treatment options with you.

What can I do to treat myopia?

Most cases of nearsightedness can be addressed with corrective lenses. This includes glasses and contact lenses. Glasses may be the best option for people who don't like how contact lenses feel, while contacts are ideal for those who don't want to be restricted by lenses. Regardless of what you prefer, we'll work with you to determine the best prescription for your eyes.

LASIK is another option for correcting myopia. This cutting-edge surgery can address nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism in most patients. We'll determine if you're a good candidate for LASIK when you come in for your appointment. This procedure can help you live your life unencumbered by glasses or contacts.

Is LASIK right for me?

LASIK is generally safe, but there are certain requirements that must be met before undergoing the procedure. You'll need healthy eyes with enough corneal tissue to perform LASIK, and you should also have realistic expectations about your results. If you don't meet these requirements, our professionals may recommend other vision correction procedures and effective ways to move forward.

Learn about your vision correction options

Do you have trouble seeing objects far away? The eye doctors at The Eye Center of Southern Indiana can diagnose your myopia with a simple exam. If we suspect you have this condition, we’re proud to offer a wide range of treatment options to meet your preferences and lifestyle. Contact us in Bloomington, IN today if you’re interested in learning more about nearsighted vision at our clinic.