Myopia: causes, symptoms and treatment

Myopia is an eye condition that affects approximately 20% to 30% of the world’s population, and it is slightly more frequent in women. However, there is treatment. Discover the causes and  symptoms of myopia, and what you can do to prevent this disease and improve your eyesight.

Myopia: what is it?

Myopia is a common refractive error, also known as nearsightedness. People with myopia can see close objects clearly, but have difficulty focusing on objects that are farther away. This occurs because, in myopia, the focus of the image falls in front of the retina instead of on the retina itself, making distant objects blurry.

Therefore, the greater the myopia, the greater the need to bring objects closer to the eyes in order to see them clearly.

Myopia and astigmatism: what’s the difference?

Astigmatism is also a refractive error, but it affects vision differently than myopia. With astigmatism, the cornea has an irregular or elliptical shape instead of being perfectly spherical. This causes blurry vision at both near and far distances.

Therefore, a patient can have these two eye conditions at the same time. Both have the same treatment options.

What are the principal causes of myopia?

The exact cause of myopia unknown, but this condition can be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The main factors include:

Genetic factors

Myopia has a strong genetic component. People with myopic parents are more likely to develop myopia. The prevalence of myopia when one parent is myopic is 20% to 40%, and when both parents are myopic, this figure rises to 30% to 60%.

Excessive use of electronic devices

Prolonged use of electronic devices, such as computers, smartphones and tablets, can strain the eyes and lead to the development or aggravation of myopia, especially in children and teens.

Intense close visual focus

Activities that require close visual focus for prolonged periods, such as reading, sewing or working on a computer, can increase the risk of myopia.

What are the symptoms of myopia?

Myopia is usually identified by the following symptoms:
• Faraway objects appear blurry, while close objects remain clear;
• Headaches, especially after activities that require eye strain, such as watching a film or driving, due to the extra effort the eyes make to focus;
• Difficulty reading traffic signs and blackboards clearly;
• Squinting instinctively to see faraway objects more clearly.

Myopia can go unnoticed in children, therefore it is important to have an ophthalmological examination at around the age of three. Parents should be vigilant and see if their children squint, blink frequently, rub their eyes, or don’t notice faraway objects. Myopic children may tend to sit too close to the television or, in the classroom, they may sit close to the blackboard to be able to read. 

How is myopia treated?

The treatment for myopia depends on each patient’s situation, therefore the specialist will determine the most suitable option. The most common treatments include:

Glasses or contact lenses

Glasses with corrective lenses or contact lenses are the most common treatment for myopia. These help focus light directly on the retina, instead of in front of it. However, they only serve to compensate the refractive error. Now there are specialised eye lenses that can prevent the progression of myopia, if used at an early stage of the disease.

LASIK (Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis) surgery

During the LASIK procedure, the physician uses laser to reshape and smooth the corneal surface, thereby correcting the myopia. This is a safe procedure performed under local anaesthetic and does not require hospitalisation. LASIK does not cause post-operative pain and patients usually recover their eyesight in less than 24 hours.

Intraocular lens implant

In some situations, especially in the most serious cases of myopia and patients over the age of 45/50, an intraocular lens can be implanted in the eye to correct eyesight. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under topical anaesthesia, and the patient’s eyesight usually makes a full recovery in less than 24 hours.

How to prevent myopia?

As the exact cause of myopia is unknown, this condition cannot be prevented. However, some precautions can be taken to minimise the impact of risk factors on eye health. In addition to maintaining regular ophthalmological supervision from childhood, we recommend the following precautions:

Take breaks to rest the eyes

The “20-20-20 Rule” is a good habit: at every 20 minutes of an activity that requires close visual focus, such as reading or using a computer, focus on something approximately 6 metres away for at least 20 seconds.

Create good lighting conditions

Ensure adequate lighting during activities that require more intense visual effort, such as reading, to reduce eye strain. Whenever possible, maximise natural light. When using artificial light, favour options with adjustable intensity to control the amount of light based on the task at hand.

Maximise outdoor exposure

Although the studies are not conclusive, it may be beneficial to increase exposure to the outdoors, especially during childhood. Natural light may play a protective role in the development of myopia.

Maintain regular ophthalmological consultations

Even if you do not notice any visual changes, periodic ophthalmological examinations are crucial for the early detection of eye conditions, when symptoms are not yet evident.

Joaquim Chaves Saúde, advanced treatment of myopia

Trust your eye health to experienced professionals supported by the most advanced diagnostic equipment, and benefit from first-line treatment of myopia. Schedule your consultation at Joaquim Chaves Saúde and take the first step towards sharper eyesight and a healthier life.