Causes of myopia
Myopia is due to an incorrect shape of the eyeball that is too elongated from the front to the back due to the focusing force of the cornea and lens, or because the cornea or lens (or both of these parts of the eye) are too thick or too curved along the entire length. As a result, light rays in front of the retina fall directly onto the surface of the retina. This makes distant objects appear blurry. This can cause problems in a number of activities such as face, object or distance recognition, sports, driving, and the like. Children whose one or both parents are also short-sighted are at increased risk of this disorder.
This refractive visual defect can start to manifest at any age. Its initial symptoms usually occur in childhood or early adolescence, but later beginnings are possible. Frequent eye strain in front of a computer, TV, or phone or tablet screen, as well as frequent, long focusing while reading can contribute to deterioration. As a precaution, children are encouraged to spend time playing outdoors in a naturally lit environment.
Ways of correction of myopia
Myopia can be corrected by wearing glasses, contact lenses or, under certain conditions, also by refractive surgery. Consult your eye specialist for the best way to correct the defect, who will perform the necessary eye tests and issue a prescription for glasses or contact lenses.
Contact lenses or spectacle lenses are shaped to ensure optimal light impact on the retina to ensure proper focusing and clear vision of distant objects. Wearing correction aids may be necessary at all times during vigilance or only in specific cases (eg driving a vehicle, watching a movie at a cinema, etc.), depending on the degree of myopia.
Correction of myopia with contact lenses
Myopic vision enhancing contact lenses work by bending light beams outward to focus on the retina.
The power of diopters is specified by a number with a minus sign (-) on the prescription. The stronger your eye defect, the higher the number after the minus. It is quite common that each eye may require a different level of correction, and therefore the regulations for the right and left eyes differ.
Basic overview of contact lenses for myopia
There is a very wide range of contact lenses on the market. The ophthalmologist will help you choose the most optimal ones. It also teaches you how to handle, clean and store contact lenses correctly. Lenses from a variety of leading manufacturers such as Acuvue, PureVision, Biofinity and more are available.
According to the length of use we distinguish:
- One-day contact lenses
- Two-week contact lenses
- Monthly contact lenses
- Annual contact lenses
- Lenses with extended wear mode
The article is based on scientific publications.