Myopia

Myopia: How to Treat and Control Blurry Distance Vision

Myopia is a very common eye disorder that affects the ability to see distant objects clearly. At LUPER, we offer accurate diagnosis and advanced solutions, such as glasses and/or contact lenses, to treat myopia and prevent its progression.

What is Myopia?

Myopia is a refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurry, while near objects are seen clearly. It occurs when the eyeball is longer than normal or the cornea has too much curvature, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of on it.

This problem usually appears in childhood and adolescence and can stabilize in adulthood. If left untreated, it can affect quality of life by making daily activities like driving or reading distant signs difficult.

Learn more about the differences between myopia and astigmatism.

Symptoms of Myopia

The most common symptoms of myopia include:

Blurred vision when looking at distant objects.
Squinting to try to see better.
Headaches or eye strain after activities that involve distant vision.
Difficulty seeing in dark environments, such as when driving at night.
In children, sitting too close to the TV or getting very close to books or screens.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is advisable to have a visual exam to confirm if you have myopia.

Book your personalized visual exam at LUPER.

What Are the Causes of Myopia?

Myopia is a multifactorial disorder, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors:

Genetics: If your parents are myopic, you have a higher risk of developing myopia.
Environmental factors: Spending a lot of time doing close-up activities, such as reading or using screens, can increase the risk of developing myopia.
Lack of outdoor time: Children who spend more time outdoors have been shown to be less likely to develop myopia.

In addition, some diseases such as diabetes and keratoconus can increase the likelihood of developing or worsening myopia.

Learn more about how screen exposure affects vision.

Types of Myopia

There are different types of myopia depending on the severity:

1. Simple Myopia

Simple myopia is the most common type and is usually less than 6 diopters. This type of myopia generally stabilizes in adulthood and can be easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

2. High Myopia or Pathological Myopia

High myopia or pathological myopia is more severe, with prescriptions above 6 diopters. This type of myopia is associated with a higher risk of ocular complications such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, or cataracts.

Myopia Control: How to Prevent its Progression?

Myopia control is an approach aimed at slowing the progression of myopia, especially in children and adolescents, to prevent future complications. At LUPER, we offer several options to control the progression of myopia:

1. Contact Lenses for Myopia Control

Ortho-k contact lenses or peripheral defocus contact lenses are special contact lenses designed to slow down eye growth in children. Ortho-k lenses are worn at night and help temporarily flatten the cornea, improving vision during the day.

2. Atropine Treatment

Low-dose atropine drops are an effective treatment to reduce the progression of myopia in children. This medication acts by decreasing the elongation of the eyeball. They must be prescribed by an ophthalmologist.

3. More Time Outdoors

Various studies suggest that spending time outdoors helps reduce the risk of children developing myopia. Exposure to natural light is beneficial for visual health.

Learn about our myopia control programs for children at LUPER.

Treatments to Correct Myopia

There are several ways to correct myopia and improve distant vision:

1. Glasses

Glasses are the most common option for correcting myopia. Depending on the degree of myopia, thinner or specialized lenses, such as anti-reflective lenses, can be prescribed to improve comfort and aesthetics.

2. Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are a practical alternative for people who prefer not to wear glasses. There are options to correct both myopia and astigmatism, such as multifocal contact lenses for people with presbyopia.

Myopia and Other Conditions: Astigmatism and Presbyopia

Myopia can coexist with other visual problems such as astigmatism or presbyopia. These conditions can be corrected in combination with glasses or multifocal or toric contact lenses, which offer a comprehensive solution to correct several refractive errors at the same time.

Discover how to correct myopia and astigmatism with our treatments.

How Does a Person with Myopia See?

A person with myopia can clearly see near objects, but distant objects appear blurry. In many cases, they need to squint to improve focus. The severity of myopia can vary from slight blurriness to significant loss of distant vision.

Learn more about how myopia affects daily vision.

When Should I Consult an Optician Specialist?

It is important to have a visual exam if you notice any of the following symptoms:

Blurred vision when seeing distant objects.
Squinting to focus better.
Eye strain or frequent headaches.
Difficulty seeing in low-light environments.

At LUPER, we offer complete eye exams to identify myopia and other eye conditions. In addition, we recommend regular check-ups, especially for children and adolescents, as myopia tends to develop at an early age.

Schedule your appointment for an eye exam at LUPER.

Effective Solutions for Myopia at LUPER

Myopia is a treatable condition that, if detected early, can be effectively corrected with glasses and/or contact lenses. At Óptica LUPER, we help you diagnose and treat your myopia, offering you the best personalized solutions and myopia control programs to prevent its progression.