Myopia affects nearly 30% of Americans and that number continues to grow each year. A common vision condition, myopia makes distant objects appear blurry while closer objects remain clear. Many people wonder which treatment option works best for their specific needs.
The good news is that several effective myopia correction options exist today. From traditional glasses to advanced laser surgery, patients have more choices than ever before.
What Is Myopia and Why Does It Occur?
Myopia, also referred to as nearsightedness, occurs when your eye grows too long and light that enters the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This makes distant objects appear blurry and unclear.
Several factors contribute to myopia development. Genetics plays a major role, as children with myopic parents face higher risks. Environmental factors also matter. Spending too much time on close-up activities like reading or using digital devices increases myopia risk. Limited outdoor time during childhood also contributes to the condition.
The myopia epidemic continues to worsen worldwide. Experts predict that half of all people will be myopic by 2050. This makes understanding treatment options more important than ever.
Traditional Myopia Correction Methods
Prescription Glasses
Glasses remain the most common myopia correction method. Glasses redirect light to focus properly on your retina. Modern lenses are now thinner and lighter than older versions, which helps to make them more comfortable to wear.
Glasses offer several advantages. They are safe, affordable, and easy to update as vision changes. Unfortunately, glasses can fog up, break easily, or limit your peripheral vision. Also, many people find glasses inconvenient when it comes to participating in sports and outdoor activities.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are placed directly on the eye surface where they provide a wider field of vision compared to traditional glasses. Many athletes and active individuals prefer contacts for their convenience.
Soft contacts are the most popular option, offering greater comfort and working well for most myopia cases. Hard contacts offer sharper vision but require more time to adjust. However, contacts require daily care and cleaning. They also carry infection risks if not handled properly.
Advanced Myopia Correction Options
LASIK Surgery
LASIK surgery reshapes the cornea using laser technology. The procedure corrects how light enters the eye, eliminating the need for glasses or contacts and enabling most patients to achieve 20/20 vision or better. The surgery takes only 15 minutes per eye. Recovery is typically fast, with most people returning to normal activities within days.
PRK Surgery
During PRK surgery, the outer layer of the cornea is removed before it is reshaped with a laser. This technique works well for people with thin corneas who cannot have LASIK. Although PRK surgery takes longer to heal than LASIK, it produces similar results.
Implantable Contact Lenses
These contact lenses work well and are recommended for severe myopia cases. Your surgeon places these lenses inside your eye without removing natural lens tissue. This option preserves the eye’s natural focusing ability.
Which Treatment Works Best?
Age, lifestyle, and severity of myopia all influence the best choice of corrective treatment. Whereas patients experiencing mild myopia often do well with glasses or contact, those with severe myopia may benefit more from surgical options.
Laser surgery offers the most permanent solution for qualified candidates. LASIK and PRK both show excellent success rates. Most patients achieve clear vision without needing glasses or contacts afterward.
However, not everyone qualifies for laser surgery. People under 18 should wait until their vision stabilizes. Certain medical conditions also prevent surgical candidacy. A thorough eye examination determines the best treatment approach.
Where to Find Leading Myopia Treatment
The Laser Center of Coral Gables specializes in advanced myopia correction procedures. Our board-certified and experienced surgeons make use of the latest advanced laser technology to deliver outstanding results. The center has helped thousands of patients achieve clear vision through personalized treatment plans.
Our doctors evaluate each patient carefully. We consider vision needs, lifestyle factors, and eye health before recommending treatment. By taking this comprehensive approach, we ensure the best possible outcome for each of our patients.
The center offers both LASIK and PRK procedures. Our state-of-the-art equipment provides precise corrections with minimal discomfort. Most patients experience immediate vision improvement following treatment.
Patient safety remains the top priority at The Laser Center of Coral Gables. The surgical team follows strict protocols to minimize risks and complications. In addition, they provide detailed pre-operative and post-operative care instructions aimed at ensuring successful healing.
What to Expect During Treatment
The myopia correction process starts with a comprehensive eye examination. This evaluation determines your candidacy for different treatment options. The examination includes corneal thickness measurements, pupil size assessment, and overall eye health evaluation.
If you are a good candidate for laser surgery, the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. You receive numbing drops to prevent discomfort during your treatment, and the laser portion of the procedure only takes seconds per eye.
While recovery time varies depending on the procedure chosen, LASIK patients tend to see clearly within hours of their surgery. Nevertheless, PRK patients may need several days for their vision to improve – which is why follow-up appointments are necessary in order to monitor your healing progress and address any concerns.
Treatment for Myopia in Miami, Florida
Modern myopia correction treatments offer excellent results with minimal risks when performed by experienced surgeons. It is just a matter of choosing the right treatment for your specific needs and circumstances.
If you are tired of depending on glasses or contacts, surgical myopia correction might be right for you. The Laser Center of Coral Gables in Miami, Florida, offers expert evaluation and treatment to help you achieve clear vision.
Ready to explore your myopia correction options? You can schedule a consultation with our specialists today by calling (305) 461-0003 or by using our convenient Request an Appointment form to arrange your comprehensive eye examination. Our team will help determine the most effective treatment for your vision needs and lifestyle goals.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nearsightedness/symptoms-causes/syc-20375556
