Understanding Myopia: Causes, Risks, and How It Affects Vision Over Time

Myopia is a common vision condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It makes distant objects appear blurry while close-up objects remain clear. Understanding the causes, risks, and how myopia affects vision over time can help you take proactive steps in managing your eye health. At Fresh Pond Eye Care, we believe that education is key to preserving your vision and preventing the progression of myopia.

What Causes Myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved. This causes light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it, leading to blurred distance vision.

There are several contributing factors to myopia:

Genetics: If one or both of your parents are nearsighted, you have a higher chance of developing myopia.
Environment: Increased screen time, especially among children, has been linked to a rise in myopia cases. Spending prolonged hours on digital devices or doing close-up work can strain the eyes.
Lack of Outdoor Time: Research has shown that children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to develop myopia. Natural light exposure plays a role in healthy eye development.

Risks Associated with Myopia

While mild myopia may only require corrective lenses, severe or progressive myopia can pose significant risks to long-term eye health. These risks include:

Retinal Detachment: High levels of myopia increase the likelihood of retinal detachment, a serious condition where the retina pulls away from its normal position. If not treated promptly, this can lead to permanent vision loss.
Glaucoma: People with myopia are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve and can result in blindness if untreated.
Cataracts: Myopia may also increase the likelihood of developing cataracts, which can cloud your vision and require surgery to correct.

How Myopia Affects Vision Over Time

Myopia often begins in childhood and may progressively worsen as the eyes grow. Without intervention, the progression of myopia can lead to more severe vision problems in adulthood. Many individuals find that their nearsightedness stabilizes in early adulthood, but high myopia can continue to progress, increasing the risks of complications.

Myopia Management Techniques

At Fresh Pond Eye Care, we offer several effective ways to manage myopia and slow its progression:

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): These specially designed contact lenses are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea, providing clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts. Ortho-K has also been shown to slow myopia progression in children.
Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops are another proven method for slowing myopia progression, especially in children. This treatment works by relaxing the eye's focusing mechanism and has been shown to reduce the rate at which myopia worsens.
NaturalVue® Multifocal Contact Lenses: These lenses have a center-distance design with an extended depth of focus and zones with different powers. They can be used to help manage myopia progression in children by reducing eye strain and slowing the elongation of the eye.

Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam with Fresh Pond Eye Care Today

Myopia is a condition that can affect both your vision and your eye health over time. While it often starts during childhood, proper management and early detection can slow its progression and reduce the risk of complications. At Fresh Pond Eye Care, we offer personalized myopia management solutions to help protect your or your child’s vision.

Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Fresh Pond Eye Care and take the first step toward maintaining clear and healthy eyesight. Contact our office in Ridgewood, New York, by calling (646) 481-8579 or Click here to get in touch with us.