Myopia in Rhode Island

Myopia Education Video from CooperVision Contacts on Vimeo

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a visual impairment that makes it difficult to clearly distinguish items that are far away or at a distance. It is one of the most common vision problems, affecting about 30 percent of the American population. Nearsighted people can typically see quite well close up but have problems seeing things farther away, such as the front of classrooms or street signs while driving. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to manage or correct myopia and obtain sharper vision. If you have difficulty seeing far away, or if your child has to squint during class, schedule an appointment with Koch Eye Associates of the greater Rhode Island area. Our highly skilled team in our Wakefield, Woonsocket, North Kingstown, Warwick, and Johnston, RI offices can determine your grade of nearsightedness and offer a number of solutions to match your lifestyle and provide clearer vision.

The primary symptom of nearsightedness is difficulty in seeing things at a distance. The objects may be blurry, or you may be unable to see certain objects at all. Other signs that you may be nearsighted are headaches and fatigue. Headaches and fatigue can both be caused by the constant eye strain of trying to focus on distant items. Nearsightedness is usually very easy to manage with prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, or laser vision surgery. However, if you still have problems even after trying these solutions, it is important that you schedule an eye exam at Koch Eye Associates to determine the problem.

The medical cause of myopia, or nearsightedness, is that the eyeball is too long from front to back, causing its curve to bend light differently. The light that enters the eye is directed slightly in front of, rather than centered on, the retina, causing items to appear blurred. The onset of nearsightedness is usually during school-age years, especially for those who are genetically predisposed to the condition. However, adults can also develop myopia due to health conditions; for example, changes in blood sugar levels in diabetic patients can lead to myopia.

Nearsightedness can be treated with prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, or laser vision correction surgery. At your appointment, we will discuss your diagnosis and lifestyle to be able to recommend the best option for you. If you opt for laser vision correction, we will schedule a meeting with one of our ophthalmologists for your next steps.

Myopia is becoming increasingly more common in children, perhaps due to the amount of time children now spend indoors and looking at screens. While myopia cannot be reversed, there are a number of treatment options that can help slow its progression so that a child's eye health can be better protected in the future. Koch Eye Associates proudly treats myopia in pediatric patients ages 8 - 18. Some of the treatments available to help slow the progression of myopia in children include low-dose atropine eye drops, peripheral defocus contact lenses and orthokeratology. The type of treatment you, your child, and your eye doctor select will depend on your child's compliance with eye hygiene, your budget, your child's eye sensitivity, and your child's current lifestyle. To decide which treatment is best for your child, contact Koch Eye Associates and have your child evaluated by one of our eye specialists.

Nearsightedness is a vision impairment that many people live with. It can cause discomfort, such as headaches and fatigue, even if you already have prescription lenses. Fortunately, this is highly treatable for most people, which can drastically improve their quality of life. Contact Koch Eye Associates of greater Rhode Island to set up an appointment with one of our experienced team members to clear up your vision problems today.