Myopia is a condition where a person is unable to see clearly in the distance. In myopia, the light that enters the eye focuses in front of the retina giving rise to a blurred image. This happens when the eye is too long or the cornea too curved.
Prognosis
In childhood, myopia tends to increase as the child grows. In adults myopia can increase in the presence of pathological myopia. In pathological myopia (often classified as refraction > -5.00 Dioptres) there is often an outpouching called posterior staphyloma. Posterior staphyloma can change shape leading to increasing amounts of myopia.
In the past myopia was seen just as a refractive error. These days we understand that myopia is an eye condition which at increased levels poses risks to the eyes. These include:
Management Options
Myopia cannot be cured. There are however ways to reduce myopia progression in children and ways to manage the current level of myopia.
Myopia can be managed in various ways:
Questions
Q: How will my child present to me if he has myopia?
A: Children with myopia most commonly present with difficulty seeing on the board. It is advisable to examine children in school age regularly to avoid undetected myopia.
Q: When can I have laser refractive surgery for my myopia?
A: Myopia in children usually increased in magnitude as the child grows. The eye grows together with the rest of the body. Laser surgery is only advisable when the myopia stabilizes. This usually occurs after 18years of age and depends on the patient’s daily activities.
Related Article
DR MARINA SYRIMI EYE CLINIC
KIrzis Centre, 44-50 Emmanuil Roidi,
Block A, Office A35
Limassol 3031
tel. 25 552215