Exploring Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is a condition that affects almost 30% of the population. This condition is where a person can see objects up close with clarity, but objects that are farther away appear blurry. Miami Beach eye doctors see patients suffering from this condition on a regular basis. Those who suffer from this condition often have problems seeing something moderately distant like a chalkboard in a classroom. This can affect someone’s overall performance in life, which is why it’s a good idea to be examined by an optometrist in Miami Beach who can prescribe the proper treatment. This common condition is usually treated with glasses or contacts.

What Causes Nearsightedness?

When light passes through the eye, it’s supposed to enter the retina easily so someone can see what’s in front of them without having to squint or strain their eyes. Those who have difficulties seeing objects that are not right in front of them are likely going to need some type of optical aid that will correct their vision. Here are the most common causes of myopia:

● An eyeball that’s too long. Someone who has an elongated eyeball will have trouble focusing the light properly so that it can enter the retina with ease.

● A cornea that’s too curved. The cornea is the natural, clear covering over someone’s eyes. When this part of the eyeball is curved too much, it will prevent light from entering the retina as it should, resulting in nearsightedness.

● Doctors do not know why either of these situations happen. Most likely, nearsightedness is inherited from a patient’s parents. If both of a patient’s parents are nearsighted, there’s an increased chance that they are going to be at some point in their life.

Resolving a Nearsighted Condition

An eye doctor in Miami Beach can do many things to correct your nearsightedness. The simplest treatment for this issue is to prescribe glasses. An eye doctor in Miami will examine your eyes and run tests to figure out what prescription you’re going to need and if you need a different one for each eye. Also, contacts can be worn to correct this issue. The optical exam for those who want contacts is going to be similar to the one for those who want glasses, but it will differ in a few key areas. The prescription the doctor writes is also going to be different for contacts. 

For those who don’t want to deal with glasses or contacts, laser eye surgery may be an option. Certain criteria will need to be met to ensure that you are eligible for the operation, but your cornea might be able to be reshaped with the help of an advanced laser. Laser eye surgery is usually a simple procedure that will result in enhanced vision with permanent effects.

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