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What is Myopia?
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a condition in which one sees blurry at a distance and clearer up close. This is due to an image focusing in front of the retina instead of right on the retina. Therefore, a myopic patient sees a blurred distant object.
What Causes Myopia?
The increase in myopia is partly due to the increase "near point" tasks, such as the use of computer, extensive reading, playing video games and other activities up close. Some clinical evidence indicates that the constant eye stress from near work causes the ciliary muscle of the eye to pull too strong on the retina and causes the slow elongation of the eyeball. The other factors are genetic predispositions that pass on from generation to generation.
Why is it important to prevent increase of Myopia?
As the degree of myopia increases, the globe of the eye also elongates and stretches the structure of the retina. Weakened retinal structure increases the risk of retinal detachment, the most prevalent blinding disease among high myopes. Other eye diseases that are common among high myopes are Retinal Degeneration and Glaucoma.
What Age Group is Most Prone to Increase of Myopia?
The average population, globally, has a myopia count of 35-40%, whereas 60% of college graduates in the U.S. are myopic. The prevalence of myopia is even greater among Asian population. Myopia usually starts in childhood and gets progressively worse through adolescence. It normally stops increasing by late teens, but it can sometimes continue to get worse into mid-twenties.
It is important to understand that once myopia has increased to a higher degree, there is no permanent way to reverse it other than by surgical procedures. Therefore, it is important for us to consider ways to control or slow down the progression of myopia before the degree of myopia becomes very high.
Why is it important to prevent increase of Myopia?
As the degree of myopia increases, the globe of the eye also elongates and stretches the structure of the retina. Weakened retinal structure increases the risk of retinal detachment, the most prevalent blinding disease among high myopes. Other eye diseases that are common among high myopes are Retinal Degeneration and Glaucoma.
How do we control the progression of Myopia?
Generally, wearing glasses and soft contact lenses have no effect on the progression of myopia. On the other hand rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens (commonly called semi-soft or hard contacts) has long been known to slow down the myopia progression.
In 2005 the landmark study, Longitudinal Orthokeratology Research in Children (LORIC), conducted in Hong Kong conclusively showed nightwear Ortho-K lenses slowed down prescription increases in a large test group of children over a 2 year period.
Most recently, the Corneal Reshaping and Yearly Observation of Nearsightedness done in the Ohio State University further confirmed ortho-k's benefit of slowing down myopia. Preliminary results of this study showed an astounding 60% reduction of axial length growth among children who underwent ortho-k myopia control program.
It is generally believed that it is important to start the myopia control program with ortho-k treatment as early as possible in children to ensure the lowest prescription throughout their lives.
Digital Fundus Photography
This advanced instrument is equipped with a high resolution camera that takes a very detailed picture of the back of your eyes, also called the fundus or retina. With this detailed photo of your eyes, the doctor can detect some of the earliest signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, etc, giving you the proper treatment as early as possible. The doctor can also use this photo of your eyes to monitor any changes over the years and make sure that your eyes are healthy.
Corneal Topographer
This instrument projects a series of illuminated rings onto the surface of your cornea, which gets reflected back into the instrument. These reflected rings are then analyzed by the computer, generating a topographical map of your cornea. This map will give the doctor detailed information about the shape of your cornea, helping the doctor fit contact lenses.
Visual Field Analyzer
This is the "side vision" test for your periphery vision. The side vision is a very important component of your total vision. Some eye diseases, such as glaucoma and neurological diseases affect the side vision, so it's very important to do this screening test in order to detect any possible diseases as early as possible.
Dr. Hai M. Tran, O.D. & Associates