Myopia is a refractive error in which a person can see nearby objects clearly but struggles to see distant objects. The term literally means "closed eye" because myopic individuals often squint to see things at a distance.
Myopia is typically hereditary and usually develops during childhood, often between the ages of 8 and 12. It can increase during the growth spurts of adolescence and stabilizes at a fixed level in adulthood. Having a family history of myopia is the most significant risk factor. Contributing factors may include excessive reading, prolonged use of the eyes in low light, or poor nutrition.
The primary cause of myopia is often the shape of the eye, specifically the inability of the lens to adequately adjust to focus light rays from distant objects onto the retina. Rarely, changes in the shape of the cornea or lens can also lead to myopia.
Many myopic individuals have simple myopia that increases with the body's growth. As a child grows during adolescence, the length of the eye changes, and thus the glasses prescription may need to be updated periodically. Myopia typically progresses rapidly for several years but later stabilizes. There is also a type of myopia that appears in adults, but it usually shows little change between the ages of 20 and 40.
Hyperopia, on the other hand, occurs when the eyeball is shorter than normal (the opposite of myopia). This shortening makes it difficult for the lens to focus light rays from nearby objects onto the retina. Conditions such as a flattened cornea or thinning of the lens can also rarely cause hyperopia.
Most children have mild hyperopia, which typically decreases during adolescence. Young children with hyperopia often see well at both near and far distances because the lens's focusing ability compensates for the shortness of the eye. Hyperopia may be associated with symptoms such as strabismus in children. Non-ocular symptoms, such as headaches and disinterest in reading, can also indicate hyperopia.
Astigmatism usually arises from irregularities or distortions in the cornea. For normal vision, the cornea must be smooth; however, in astigmatism, the curvature of the cornea is steeper in one direction than in others. In this case, the image may appear distorted, like that in a wavy mirror or funhouse mirror. Astigmatism is generally hereditary and can persist throughout life. Low-grade astigmatism typically does not require correction.
Presbyopia is the difficulty people experience in seeing nearby objects as they age. This condition typically appears after the age of 40 and is related to the loss of elasticity in the lens. Presbyopia is usually corrected with reading glasses and is an unavoidable part of the aging process. Individuals with other refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism may also be prescribed bifocal or multifocal lenses.
For a healthy vision or to ask any questions you may have, feel free to contact us right away. We are here with the most suitable treatment options for you. To make an appointment, use the "Online Appointment" button, or for WhatsApp communication, click the "WhatsApp" button.
Contact
Internal Phone: 0 258 330 03 03
Mobile: 0 531 923 33 90 / 0 532 499 03 90
Prepared by: Prof. Dr. Cem Yıldırım