What is myopia (nearsightedness)?
If you have difficulty seeing things at a distance, you may have problems with nearsightedness. Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, can be described as a condition of the eye in which nearby objects appear clearly in the field of vision. Nearsightedness can be caused by two things: axial ametropia or systemic ametropia. Axial ametropia is a form of nearsightedness where your eye is too long. This means that the distance between the retina and the cornea in the eye is too long. As a result, the eye receives images in front of the retina. Unlike axial ametropia, systemic ametropia is caused by the eye’s refraction being too strong. This results in the light entering the eye being deflected too much, so that the image itself is formed in front of the retina. In practice, the two forms of nearsightedness manifest themselves in the same way. If a nearsighted person tries to focus their eye on a distant object, the light will be refracted so much that the object appears blurry. However, the closer the person gets to the object, the more the light will converge on the retina, resulting in sharper vision.
Why do people become nearsighted?
Despite extensive research, there is no clear answer as to why people become nearsighted. It is believed that myopia is usually a congenital condition of the eye. If your parents suffer from nearsightedness, there is a high chance that you will also be nearsighted. Some experts also believe that unnatural light from phones or computers can negatively affect the eye and lead to myopia. However, it is possible to treat myopia in a healthy and accessible way. Research shows that you can strengthen your eyes by spending time outdoors, where the light is natural. In this way, the condition of your eyesight depends largely on the environment you are in. If you sit indoors with your eyes fixed on a computer screen every day, it can worsen your myopia. So getting out into the fresh air is not only good for the soul, it is also good for your eyes.
Signs of nearsightedness
Research shows that many students or people who do a lot of close-up work in their daily lives are more likely to develop myopia. If you belong to this group, it is therefore important to be particularly aware of the symptoms of nearsightedness in order to prevent it and ensure good vision for many years to come. If you recognise the feeling of sore eyes and headaches, or if you find yourself squinting to see far away, you should be checked for myopia. The symptoms of myopia can manifest themselves in many ways. For example, you may find it difficult to see road signs when driving. You may feel compelled to sit closer to your computer or phone than normal. You may also experience difficulties in class, where the letters on the blackboard blur into a blurry mass. Regardless of the difficulties you face, it is important that you contact an ophthalmologist—this will improve your vision and prevent your eyes from deteriorating further.
Can you outgrow myopia?
As a general rule, you cannot outgrow myopia. If you are born with myopia, it is rare for your vision to become completely normal without surgery or the use of lenses and glasses. Most people with myopia will find that it stabilizes naturally between the ages of 20 and 30. However, if you find that your myopia is getting worse, you should seek medical advice. There are different degrees of myopia, which means that no two cases are the same. However, no degree of myopia can be trained away. Fortunately, myopia can often be corrected by using contact lenses or glasses that match your visual acuity. Your vision is measured in diopters. If you are nearsighted, your diopters will be negative (-).
Is nearsightedness dangerous?
Myopia is a common eye condition that many people live with every day. In many cases, nearsightedness is not dangerous at all, and most people do not experience it as a nuisance in their everyday lives. However, nearsightedness can have a lasting negative impact on the condition of the eye. If you suffer from severe myopia (degenerative myopia), you should be prepared for your vision to gradually deteriorate over the years. This type of myopia is hereditary and, in the worst case, can result in loss of vision. If you feel that your myopia has worsened, you should have your eyes examined immediately. People with severe myopia may also be at risk of retinal detachment. This condition manifests itself as sudden loss of vision and deterioration of the field of vision. Fortunately, these conditions can be kept in check with early treatment, ensuring that your vision remains intact throughout your life.
Laser treatment for nearsightedness
Although nearsightedness can be corrected with glasses and contact lenses, many people choose to have laser eye surgery. This surgery improves vision, eliminating the need to clean glasses or worry about running out of lens solution. In Denmark, laser surgery has been available free of charge for people with severe nearsightedness. This requires a minimum of -6 diopters in both eyes, and unfortunately, it is not certain that the Region will pay for the treatment today. The surgery itself involves the laser changing the shape of the cornea. This procedure is painless, as the eyes are numbed with anesthetic eye drops beforehand. After the procedure, it is important to be careful about what you expose your eyes to. As the eyes need the best conditions to heal, you should be careful with shampoo, try to avoid rubbing your eyes, and stay away from contact sports where the eyes are particularly exposed.