Myopia

Myopia is an eye condition that impairs clear vision at long distances. Individuals with myopia can see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. Myopia is classified as 'mild myopia' if it is below 3 diopters, 'moderate myopia' if it is between 3-6 diopters, and 'high myopia' if it is above 6 diopters. High myopia can lead to eye conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts.

What Are the Symptoms of Myopia?

• Blurry vision for distant objects
• Squinting to see distant objects
• Headaches
• Eye pain
• Increased difficulty seeing at night

How Is Myopia Treated?

The initial method for treating individuals with myopia is glasses or contact lenses. Wearing glasses or contact lenses does not cure myopia or reduce its degree; however, if these aids are not used, myopia can progress more rapidly. In addition to glasses and contact lenses, laser and intraocular smart lens treatments are options for treating myopia.

• Time spent with technological devices like televisions, computers, phones, and tablets should be limited. While using these devices, attention should be paid to eye distance rules.
• Chronic diseases like diabetes or hypertension are known to adversely affect eye health. If you have such conditions, neglecting your check-ups and treatments may negatively impact your eye health. Treatments for chronic health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure should not be neglected as they adversely affect eye health.
• Eyes should be protected from the harmful effects of the sun, direct sunlight should be avoided, and sunglasses should be used whenever possible.

What Factors Trigger the Development of Myopia?

Both genetic factors and environmental influences can play a role in the development of myopia. It is believed that the appearance of this eye condition is influenced by genetic inheritance as well as external factors. Individuals with family members who have myopia are more likely to develop the condition. However, it is not limited solely to genetic predisposition. Especially during childhood, activities that require prolonged near focus can accelerate the development of myopia.

Exposure to screens, spending long hours indoors, and insufficient exposure to natural daylight are also factors that contribute to myopia. Therefore, ensuring that children spend enough time outdoors during the day is extremely important for preventing myopia.

What is Myopic Astigmatism?

Myopic astigmatism is a condition where both myopia and astigmatism defects are present simultaneously. In myopia, the eye focuses incoming light in front of the retina; in astigmatism, due to an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, light is refracted at different angles. This results in blurred or distorted vision.

Individuals with myopic astigmatism experience both blurred distance vision and distortion in images. For example, a straight line may appear curved or broken. This condition can significantly reduce visual comfort and lead to complaints such as headaches and eye fatigue. Treatment for myopic astigmatism can be achieved with glasses, contact lenses, or laser methods.

How Can Myopia Progression Be Prevented?

Myopia progression may be faster especially during childhood and adolescence. Some effective steps that can be taken to slow down or control this process include:

• Regular eye examinations: Myopia progression can be controlled by monitoring prescription changes in glasses.
  
  
• Atropine drop treatment: Low-dose atropine drops can be used to slow the progression of myopia, especially in children. This treatment method must be planned by an ophthalmologist.
  
  
• Night lenses (orthokeratology): By wearing special hard contact lenses at night, clearer vision can be achieved throughout the day, and myopia progression can be slowed.
  
  
• Outdoor activities: Spending at least 1-2 hours a day in natural sunlight is important for slowing the development of myopia.
  
  

These measures can slow the progression of myopia, but complete cessation may not be possible. Therefore, regular monitoring and medical follow-up are important.

Can Myopia be Permanently Cured?

The question, "How does myopia improve?" is one of the most frequently asked by individuals experiencing this issue. As myopia is a permanent change in the structure of the eye, it cannot improve on its own. However, it can be effectively managed through treatment options.

Although glasses and lenses can correct vision, patients seeking permanent solutions may consider laser treatment or intraocular smart lens applications. With laser treatment, the shape of the cornea is reshaped to correct myopia. Especially those over 18 years old, with stable prescriptions and suitable eye structures, can benefit from this treatment.
Intraocular lens treatment is generally chosen for high-degree myopia cases or eyes unsuitable for laser treatment. In this permanent treatment method, a specially designed artificial lens is implanted in place of the natural lens.

Daily Tips for Coping with Myopia

It is important for individuals with myopia to adopt simple but effective habits to enhance their quality of life:

• Develop a habit of resting the eyes by looking away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds while reading or using a computer,
  
  
• Avoid reading books in poorly lit environments for extended periods,
  
  
• Stay away from harmful habits like rubbing the eyes,
  
  
• Reduce screen time and use blue light filters.
  
  

Such habits help reduce eye fatigue, slow the progression of myopia, and support overall eye health.

Treating High Myopia with Intraocular Smart Lenses

In high myopia cases, especially refractive errors of 6 diopters and above, laser treatment may not always be sufficient or suitable. In patients whose eye structure is not suitable for laser intervention or those seeking a more permanent and clear solution, intraocular smart lens applications come to the forefront. This treatment method is usually performed using techniques similar to cataract surgery; however, it can also be used to correct refractive errors in patients without cataracts.

In intraocular smart lens treatment, the patient's natural eye lens is replaced with a multifocal artificial lens. These lenses allow for clear vision not only for distance but also for intermediate and near distances. Thus, the patient is relieved of high-degree myopia and gains the advantage of multifocal vision.

Advantages:

• Offers a permanent solution, myopia does not recur.
  
  
• Both myopia and any additional refractive errors like astigmatism can be corrected.
  
  

Who is it suitable for?

• Individuals over 40 years old with stabilized prescriptions
  
  
• Patients whose eye structure is not suitable for laser surgery
  
  
• Those with a risk of cataracts or early-stage cataracts
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes myopia?

The primary cause of myopia is the eyeball being longer than normal or the cornea being steeper than necessary. While genetic factors play a significant role, environmental influences (intense screen use, insufficient outdoor activity, etc.) can also trigger the development of myopia.

How is myopia treated?

The treatment for myopia can be planned using different methods depending on the person's age, eye structure, and degree of visual impairment. The most common treatment options are glasses and contact lenses. For those seeking more permanent solutions, laser treatments or intraocular smart lens surgeries can be applied. Especially, laser treatment provides highly successful results in individuals with stabilized myopia prescriptions and suitable eye structures.

How is myopic astigmatism treated?

In myopic astigmatism, similar treatment approaches are applied to ensure visual clarity. Glasses and toric (astigmatism-correcting) lenses are the most commonly used methods. For those seeking permanent solutions, both myopia and astigmatism can be corrected with laser surgery. A detailed eye examination should be performed before planning treatment, taking into account corneal structure and prescriptions.

Can the progression of myopia be halted?

While it may not be completely halted, the progression rate of myopia can be significantly slowed. Especially atropine drop treatment started in childhood, orthokeratology lenses, and the habit of spending time outdoors can significantly inhibit myopia progression. Additionally, regular eye examinations can track prescription increases and enable timely intervention.