EBYX Center

One of the most commonplace causes for being prescribed specs is myopia

myopia, or shortsightedness, is a condition in which objects a long way away are obscured either due to the fact that the eye is too long or too strong. It is the final result of both environmental and genetic factors.

The degree to which one is nearsighted depends on the powers of the cornea and the lens of the eye and the length of the eyeball. In a normal eye the incoming visual images meet on the retina in the back of the eye. If these visual images converge in front of the retina instead of on the retina, then one is myopic.

myopia does decreases in later life. This appears not to be related to a step-down in close work as is often suggested however rather due to some ingredient intrinsically related to ageing. It has been hypothesized the power of the lens of the eye alters in later life.

myopia affects about 25% of Americans.

Using a variety of techniques, trained eye practitioners can assess whether or not a child is able to focus clearly. They use play, retinoscopy and refraction to help them do this carefully.

The type and extent of nearsightedness is determined by additional testing. These tests include an evaluation of the child’s binocular vision, his eye movements, his ability to converge and focus on targets close-up, and his ocular health. Dilation of the eye allows the doctor to check for complications of ROP, diabetes, or degenerative myopia.

The optician may deliberately choose to dilate a child’s pupils to prevent their natural tendency to over focus confuse the prescription generation process. .

If you have shortsightedness, you will need to have spectacles prescribed. If your child has been diagnosed with shortsightedness and are under 4, then they may get away with not wearing spectacles unless their vision is particularly bad.

Once a child starts school, then being able to focus on the board becomes important for learning, etc. So they should be regularly assessed for the need to wear eyeglasses or the need to change their prescription.

The glasses are then usually worn full time, except for children with difficulty with convergence (esophoria), who may remove their eyeglasses for close work.