Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Treat Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness (myopia) is a very common eye condition and many people suffer from it everyday. People who are nearsighted can see things up closely with no problem (such as working on a computer or sewing), but have problems seeing objects that are farther away from them (like watching television, or reading highway signs or words on a chalkboard). Nearsightedness occurs when a person’s eyeball is longer than it should be and this interferes with how the eye focuses the light rays. However, there are several treatment options available for this disorder and your eye doctor can help you choose the right treatment option for your eyes.


Instructions


1. Monitor your symptoms each day. In order to properly treat nearsightedness, you should first begin by keeping track of your symptoms, so you can give this information to your eye doctor. The most common symptoms associated with nearsightedness include eyestrain, headaches, squinting, blurred vision when looking at objects at a distance and becoming fatigued when doing certain activities such as driving or playing sports. It is important to write down how often you get these symptoms, what time of day they occur, what tasks you’re doing when they happen and whether or not they are mild or severe.


2. Find a local optometrist. An optometrist is a medical doctor who examines eyes and diagnoses and treats eye disorders. He can give you an eye examination, evaluate your condition and recommend an appropriate treatment option for you.


3. Meet with the optometrist and complete the required eye tests. Your eye doctor begins by asking you questions about your symptoms and current health status. He next gives you a basic eye examination (which may include a variety of vision tests) in order to determine the level of nearsightedness in your eyes.


4. Discuss the treatment options with your eye doctor. Many people use corrective lenses, such as prescribed eyeglasses or contact lenses to treat their nearsightedness. Others may choose a surgical procedure, like laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). There are also non-surgical procedures available, such as intraocular lens implantation (plastic corneal rings are implanted in your eyes) or orthokeratology (wear cornea-shaping rings at night).








5. Choose the right treatment option. Your doctor suggests a treatment option that he feels can best suit your needs. However, you must make the final decision in selecting a treatment option for your eyes. Be sure to select a treatment method that you are comfortable with and one that accommodates your personal needs, lifestyle and financial budget.

Tags: treatment option, your eyes, your symptoms, option your, option your eyes