Myopia is often referred to as nearsightedness, and it means you have trouble seeing at a distance. This condition affects around 25% of people and can happen at any age. If you find yourself squinting to see objects at a distance, you might be nearsighted. Myopia is an eye condition caused by a refractive error. Myopia is a condition of the eye and not a disease.
Myopia occurs because of refractive errors. A refractive error occurs when your eyes do not focus light correctly. Refraction is bending of light. The light entering your cornea and lens must bend to land directly on the retina. The retina of your eyes then turns the light into signals that go to your brain. These signals become images, and this all happens within a couple of seconds or less. You are not even aware how hard your eyes and brain are working for you to see. If you are concerned about Myopia, view this list of Tampa eye doctors.
There are two types of myopia-low and high. If you have mild nearsightedness, you have low myopia. If your condition is severe, you have high myopia. In addition to making it difficult for people to see at a distance, myopia can also present a danger to your eyes. Those who have this eye condition are more likely to suffer a detached retina. A detached retina happens when the tissue that lines the back part of your eyes becomes detached. Detached retinas are serious and can lead to blindness, so it is essential to seek treatment for your myopia.
Myopia will cause the following symptoms.
- Squinting frequently to see objects in the distance
- Moving closer to view objects, such as the television
- Difficulty seeing the board at school
- Frequent headaches and eye strain
If children suffer from myopia, they will begin to experience worsening symptoms between the ages of 8 to 12 years. It is essential people of all ages go through eye examinations regularly to ensure they are not developing myopia.
The cause of myopia is a cornea that is improperly shaped or shaped too steeply. Too much of a curve prevents light from bending correctly and entering the retina. Some studies have found myopia is caused by too much screen time or focusing too long on close work. This eye condition may even be caused by a lack of outside play when the eyes are developing in children.
No matter the cause of Myopia, there are treatments available from Tampa, FL eye physicians. The sooner you seek treatment, the faster your eye condition will begin to respond. Eye doctors offer multiple treatment options, including these listed below.
- Eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Refractive surgery
- Orthokeratology
- Low-dose Atropine
It is important you find the best eye doctor in Tampa, FL to take care of your myopia condition. With a full eye examination, the doctor can give you a diagnosis and help you decide which treatment option will be best. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. The eye doctor will offer you a customized treatment plan to address your vision needs. Consider scheduling an appointment with one of the eye doctors below.
1. Tampa Eye Clinic
Address: 3000 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: (813) 877-2020
2. The Eye Institute of West Florida
Address: 501 N Howard Ave Suite 100
Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: (813) 253-2727
3. Newsom Eye – South Tampa
Address: 113 S Armenia Ave
Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: (813) 908-2020
While it can be stressful to learn you have myopia, there are now more treatment options available than ever. The important thing to remember is to seek an eye doctor right away as soon as you notice any signs of myopia. The doctor will be able to help you restore or correct your vision.