Myopia is a common vision condition affecting millions of people, where distant objects appear blurry while close objects remain clear. With the increase in screen time and decrease in outdoor activities, the prevalence of myopia is rising, especially among children and teenagers. Although myopia cannot be cured or reversed, it is highly treatable. Early detection and treatment can significantly reduce the impact of myopia on eye health.
What is Myopia?
Myopia is a refractive error where the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This leads to blurry vision for distant objects.
The severity of myopia varies, leading to different vision and eye health issues. For instance, individuals with mild myopia (less than -2.00 diopters) may not need glasses or contact lenses for most daily tasks but might need them for driving to see the road clearly. On the other hand, those with moderate to high myopia may need to wear glasses constantly or require strong prescriptions to see people or objects at a distance clearly. Higher degrees of myopia also pose greater risks to eye health and are more likely to be hereditary.
Causes of Myopia
The exact causes of myopia are multifactorial, including genetic and environmental factors:
Genetic Factors: Myopia often runs in families. If one or both parents are myopic, especially with high myopia, their children are at a higher risk of developing myopia.
Environmental Factors: Prolonged near work, such as reading or using computers or mobile devices, and insufficient outdoor activities are significant contributors to the onset and progression of myopia.
Symptoms of Myopia
Common symptoms of myopia include:
- Blurry vision for distant objects
- Squinting to see clearly
- Eye strain and headaches
- Difficulty driving at night
Can Myopia Be Reversed?
Currently, there are no definitive methods to reverse myopia, but various treatments can effectively manage and slow its progression.
- Glasses and Contact Lenses: These are the most common and simplest ways to correct myopia. They can maintain clear vision but cannot prevent myopia from worsening.
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): This non-surgical treatment involves wearing specially designed rigid gas-permeable contact lenses overnight. Ortho-K lenses significantly slow down the elongation of the eyeball, preventing myopia from worsening and improving vision. These lenses temporarily reshape the cornea, providing clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
- Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops are often used during dilated eye exams as they help relax the eye and dilate the pupil, making it easier for eye doctors to examine the internal eye structures. Atropine eye drops have been shown to slow myopia progression in children. The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the relaxation of the eye’s focusing muscles.
- Multifocal Contact Lenses: These lenses are designed with different zones for near, intermediate, and distance vision, helping reduce the eye’s focusing burden and thereby slowing myopia progression.
Can Myopia Be Reversed with Age?
Myopia does not reverse with age. Vision changes typically slow down or stabilize around the age of 20-21, as the eyeball stops growing. This stabilization means myopia progression slows down but does not decrease. After age 40, presbyopia (farsightedness) may occur, and you might need progressive lenses to see both near and far objects clearly.
Can Myopia Be Reversed Naturally?
No, myopia cannot be reversed naturally. Management and slowing down its progression are possible through the methods mentioned above.
Can Myopia Be Cured by Surgery/Lasik?
Myopia can be corrected by surgery but not cured. LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a common surgical method that reshapes the cornea to improve vision but cannot change the length of the eyeball.
Can Myopia Lead to Blindness?
Yes, myopia can potentially lead to blindness. Moderate to high myopia significantly increases the risk of eye health issues. As the eyeball grows, the eye tissues are stretched, leading to reduced distant vision and various eye diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration, and retinal detachment, which can ultimately lead to blindness.
How to Prevent Myopia?
While complete prevention of myopia may not be realistic, certain measures can reduce its risk and slow its progression:
- Regular Eye Exams: Early detection and effective management of myopia can be achieved through regular eye exams.
- Proper Lighting: Ensure adequate lighting when reading or doing close-up work to reduce eye strain.
- Correct Posture and Distance: Maintain proper posture and screen distance when using electronic devices to reduce eye strain.
If you have noticed that your vision becomes blurry when trying to focus on distant objects, it is recommended to see an eye doctor and wear glasses promptly. Although there are no clear methods to reverse myopia, various treatment options can effectively manage and slow its progression. Advances in medical research offer hope for potential future myopia reversal. Meanwhile, early detection, proper management, and lifestyle adjustments remain the best strategies for maintaining good vision and preventing severe myopia.
