Myopia Control

Myopia (nearsightedness) is becoming more prevalent, but you can have crystal-clear long-range vision by having a comprehensive eye exam and receiving an updated prescription from a highly qualified optometrist like Luiza Youssefi, OD. She and the team at Meriden Eye Care, LLC offer myopia control and exceptional expertise in orthokeratology (Ortho-K lenses) and other innovative treatments. Call Meriden Eye Care, LLC, to schedule an evaluation or request one online today. 

What is myopia?

Myopia refers to nearsightedness or shortsightedness. Myopia occurs if your eyeball is too long or the cornea protecting your outer eye has an excessive curvature. This causes the light entering your eye to distort and makes images focus in front of your retina instead of on its surface. This is called a refractive error, and it’s the reason you have blurred vision when you have myopia.

How do I know if I have myopia?

If you notice objects become increasingly blurry as they get further away from you, but your vision when looking at objects up close is fine, you likely have myopia.

With myopia, you might notice symptoms such as:

• Eye strain
• Headaches
• Squinting
• Tired eyes

Many children have myopia and aren’t aware of it. It’s important for children to stay up-to-date with their vision checkups and eye exams at Meriden Eye Care, LLC.

What is myopia control?

Myopia control refers to utilizing specific treatments to slow the progression of myopia and improve vision.

After your eye exam, Dr. Youssefi may prescribe contact lenses or corrective glasses. The prescription lenses can help your eyes focus light on the retina and enhance the clarity of your vision.

You might also have astigmatism, where the surface of your cornea has more of a football shape than a round shape. It’s especially common to have astigmatism and myopia together. Dr. Youssefi can prescribe special contact lenses, and she’ll adjust the curvature of your glasses to correct the effects of astigmatism and improve your myopia.

If you’re an adult who wants to get out of using eyeglasses, you might choose LASIK surgery to correct myopia, and Dr. Youssefi can help you determine if it’s the best strategy for you and provide a referral. Dr. Youssefi provides quality myopia control for you or your child, involving a variety of treatment methods.

Myopia control can reduce the risk of vision-threatening complications related to more severe forms of myopia later in life, such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and even blindness.

How does corneal refractive therapy treat myopia?

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) and CRT (corneal refractive therapy) involve wearing special gas-permeable lenses while you sleep that reshape your cornea overnight. You remove your Ortho-K lenses when you wake up, and you’ll experience better vision without having to wear daytime glasses or contacts. CRT can also treat mild astigmatism and hyperopia.

CRT can be a good choice because it can be discontinued at any time without any permanent changes to your eye. CRT is also suitable for children, and the FDA hasn’t placed any age restrictions on CRT.

CRT is temporary, and if you stop wearing your Ortho-K lenses regularly while you sleep, your vision usually returns to its original state in as little as three days. The lenses usually have to be replaced once a year.

For highly effective myopia control, call Meriden Eye Care, LLC, or request an appointment online today.