All You Need to Know About Myopia

During image perception, light reflects off the object you see and enters your eyes. The lens will bend this light and direct it to the retina. If you have an elongated eyeball, however, the light rays tend to focus in front of this structure instead of on top of it. This results in the most common refractive error known as myopia or nearsightedness. Vienna Eyecare Center discusses this condition in detail.

Causes and Risk Factors of Myopia

According to our trusted eye doctor in Fairfax, VA, this visual acuity error stems from the lengthened eyeball. What caused this to happen remains unknown. There are three key factors that may contribute to its development.

Heredity plays an important role in this condition’s development. If any of your family members are nearsighted, you have higher chances of acquiring this condition. Visual stress or spending several hours in front of your blue-light emitting devices is also a risk factor. Your age matters as well. This condition usually manifests between 8-12 years of age. That said, you may acquire it in your adult years as well.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Although manifestations may vary per person, the hallmark sign of this condition is an intact close-range vision, but blurred distant vision. You may also experience frequent headaches, eye strain, and eye fatigue.

Our reliable optometrist in Fairfax, VA, also wants you to take note that squinting is a common early indication, especially in children. If you have noticed any of these with your eyes or with your loved ones, visit our clinic immediately.

Diagnosis and Management

The earlier we detect this visual acuity error, the better chances you have of preserving your eyesight. This is why we emphasize the importance of having regular eye exams. We have the expertise, skills, and advanced instruments to detect any irregularities within your eyes.

Once we have confirmed this condition, we may prescribe wearing corrective eyewear as part of your eye care in Fairfax, VA. We have an array of eyeglasses and contact lenses that come in different designs and colors to suit your lifestyle.

We also offer orthokeratology. This nonsurgical procedure lets you wear contact lenses while you sleep. You can take them off in the morning and enjoy a day’s worth of clear vision without having to use any eyewear. For a more permanent vision correction option, we also offer LASIK surgery.

For more information on myopia or other vision concerns, call us at (703) 938-7633. You can also complete our form to schedule an appointment.