Myopia, or nearsightedness, affects about 30% of adults in this county. The exact cause of the vision problem is not fully understood, but there is a strong genetic component to the eye condition. If one or both of your parents have myopia, you are much more likely to develop nearsightedness.
There are natural steps you can take to enjoy the benefits of myopia control. If these top five safe and effective remedies do not stop the progression of myopia, there are medical interventions that help. We’ll explore both options below, starting with five tips for slowing the progression of myopia.
1. Increase the Time You Spend Outside
Many developmental problems result from our changing lifestyles. Exposure to blue light from screens can disrupt sleep, for example.
Our sedentary lives can be a risk factor for developing nearsightedness. When we spend too much time indoors, we risk having to one day require vision therapy of some type.
Our eyes evolved to experience ultraviolet rays that interact with the cornea and sclera. This interaction may be key to maintaining a normal shape for the eyes.
Getting outside also helps your eyes adjust to spotting objects that are far away. Spending too much time indoors, conversely, can lead to disproportionate numbers of objects being viewed at close range. Again, that is something our eyes did not evolve for.
2. Protect Your Eyes from the Sun
While getting outdoors is healthy for your eyes and body, too much sunlight can have adverse effects on your vision. If you do go outside, be sure to wear protective eyewear that can slow the progression of myopia.
Seek comfort and protection. Tom Ford, Rayband, and Costa are great brands that are both fashionable and protective. If you are looking for an optical shop near me, a member of our team can help.
3. Eat Healthily
The health of your eyes is directly tied to nutrition. Did you know that your eyes can benefit from foods that are high in fatty acids? Examples of these food items include salmon, tuna, and other fatty fish.
Round out your healthy diet with leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables. A plant-based diet can ensure that your eyes receive all the nutrition it needs.
4. Reduce Eyestrain
Another facet of modern life that can lead to the early stages or myopia or progression of that condition is eyestrain. Focusing on a close object causes the muscles in the eyes to have to exert pressure on the eye. This can history the shape of the eye over time.
Consider taking breaks from your screen. This lets your eyes enjoy the benefits of proper rest, and rest can slow the progression of myopia.
5. Don’t Smoke
Smoking is bad for your eyes for several reasons. Smoking can cause your eyes to become dry. The potentially carcinogenic chemicals in cigarette smoke can drift directly onto your eyes.
Smoking is a risk factor for eye damage. The habit can even damage the vision of those around you.
Treatment Options for Myopia
The best option is to prevent myopia by following the tips listed above. Sometimes, those steps are not enough.
The good news is that spending time outdoors and having just the right exposure to natural sunlight can benefit your eyes even if you eventually need to wear glasses.
Regular checkups with our eye doctor may lead an optician to diagnose you with nearsightedness. Fortunately, there are many proven interventions that can help stop myopia from becoming worse.
Catching myopia early at our Houston optical store is important because many children and teens are not aware that they need eyewear.
Glasses and Contacts
For most people who live with nearsightedness, contact lenses and glasses are sufficient. Once someone reached adulthood, refractive surgery can also help.
Remember that surgery will not stop your vision from ever becoming worse.
Pharmaceuticals
Certain prescription drugs like atropine have been shown to slow the progression of myopia. The agent is administered via eye drops.
This treatment has been used for years to help children who have a “lazy eye” The chemical helps to dilate the pupil.
Scientists have learned that the right amount of atropine can slow the progression of myopia. How this works exactly is little known. Atropine may stop certain signals that encourage the eye to grow larger.
Slowing growth along the axial length can slow the rate of myopic progression.
Orthokeratology
There are also special contact lenses that can be worn at ight. Glasses that are designed with special optics can also slow down the progression of nearsightedness.
Overnight corrective lenses gently reshape the cornea. They are only worn at night and must be removed during the day. This treatment is known as orthokeratology.
Over time, the lenses flatten the curvature of the cornea. This redirects light that enters the retina.
Special Myopia Treating Eyeglasses
New technology allows glasses to work similarly to orthokeratology. This is a great option for patients who cannot tolerate hard contacts. Other patients may prefer this option as an alternative to prescription medications.
The lenses prevent axial length elongation.
Learn More Myopia Control Tips
Myopia control can slow the progression of nearsightedness. If those natural approaches fail, patients still have several medical treatment options that can reverse myopia. Many people live perfectly normal lives with myopia by finding comfortable and fashionable eyewear that corrects nearsightedness.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of myopia, don’t put off treatment. Putting off prescription glasses can strain your eyes and cause further problems. To schedule your visit with our optometrist, contact our office today.
