MYOPIA

Myopia, also known as shortsightedness, is the most common type of vision disorder in Europe and around the world.

Myopia not only makes it necessary to wear glasses, but it is also associated with other eye diseases (an increased risk of retinal detachment, retinal changes, glaucoma, etc.).

Humans as a species are becoming ever more shortsighted, which is why researchers are investigating methods for reducing the progression of myopia already during childhood.

It is possible to slow down or even halt the advance of myopia.Getting new and stronger glasses each year should not be the norm.

Old wives’ tales along the lines of “Don’t read with the lamp on under your blanket or your eyesight will get worse” or “Shortsightedness comes from too much reading” have by now been partially refuted.

However, the child’s lifestyle and hereditary predisposition to the condition (a parent with myopia) do play a major role.

1. SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS

Time spent outdoors in natural daylight has a positive effect on the development of myopia. Shortsighted children should therefore spend at least 2 hours outdoors each day. Studies have shown that the progression of myopia in children who play outdoors, for example by doing sports, was far less pronounced than in children who spend more time indoors in artificial light. Sports and activities that require looking out in the distance are preferable to those that involve focusing on objects nearby.

2. ORTHOKERATOLOGY

Orthokeratology is currently one of the most successful methods for slowing the progression of myopia. Orthokeratology refers to treatment with specially designed contact lenses that are worn at night. Wearing the contact lenses during the night reshapes the cornea in such a way that the wearer will not need any visual aids during the day. There are certain limitations to the use of orthokeratology, and it is therefore not suitable for all types of corrections and corneal conditions.

3. MULTIFOCAL CONTACT LENSES

Multifocal contact lenses are usually worn by adults over the age of 40 to help with reading. These have been developed to correct natural farsightedness (presbyopia). The effect of multifocal contact lenses is similar to that of orthokeratology, the difference being that these contact lenses are worn during the day and do not affect the cornea. There are no limitations in terms of the degree of correction that can be achieved with this type of contact lens.

4. EYE DROPS

Ophthalmologists usually use atropine eye drops during eye exams. The active ingredient in these eye drops ensures dilation of the pupils. Studies have shown that atropine can also be used to test for myopia. However, since the atropine 1% solution that is usually administered comes with strong side effects and should therefore not be used regularly or on a daily basis, promising tests with lower concentrations are currently being conducted.

FARSIGHTEDNESS (HYEROPIA)

In the case of farsightedness, the eye is too short, or the refractive index of the eye is not strong enough, so that the focal point (the sharp image) lies behind the retina. Patients with this condition also have an increased risk of other eye diseases (e.g. glaucoma). This vision disorder can be corrected by means of glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.

PRESBYOPIA

Presbyopia is a normal ageing process that gradually manifests itself between the ages of 40 and 45. With this condition, the switch in focus between distance and near vision no longer functions properly. For a certain period of time, it will be possible to make reading easier by holding texts further away from the eye.  With increasing age and advancing presbyopia, however, this will no longer be possible, so that reading glasses or varifocals must be used for reading.

Patients who do not want to wear glasses usually have the option to correct this disorder by means of special contact lenses, or by opting for early cataract surgery (see cataract surgery) and the implantation of multifocal lenses.