Nearsightedness Q&A

 

Nearsightedness (also called myopia) is common in people of all ages. It is typically defined as an inability to see far away or long distances. Millions of people worldwide suffer from myopia, a relatively prevalent condition. Read on to explore popular questions - and answers - about nearsightedness.

Q: What is nearsightedness?
A: Technically speaking, myopia is a refractive error that results in the eye’s inability to focus on light correctly. While distant objects are blurry, those nearby are visibly clear and crisp. In those who do not have myopia, light rays enter the eye and pass through the cornea and lens, followed by the retina at the back of the eye. When the eyeball grows too long (or the cornea is uneven), light rays focus in front of the retina instead of centered on it, and the image sent to the brain is blurry. Those with nearsightedness can correct their vision by donning prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, or laser vision correction such as LASIK.

Q: How common is nearsightedness?
A: In a recent study published by Jama, an estimated 30 to 40 percent of adults in the United States are nearsighted. It is estimated that by 2050, nearly half of the world’s population will suffer from myopia.

Q: What causes nearsightedness?
A: The exact cause of myopia is unknown, but contributing factors are well-known and include genetics, eyestrain (books, computers, tablets), and lifestyle (not being outdoors where light is much brighter.)

Q: Is laser vision correction for nearsightedness permanent?
A: While laser vision correction reshapes the cornea and corrects nearsightedness at that exact moment in time, the possibility for the patient’s vision to deteriorate in the future is still plausible. If the patient develops cataracts, glaucoma, or presbyopia (natural aging of the eye), glasses will probably still be necessary when the lens loses its ability to focus on nearby objects.

Q: What demographics are good candidates for laser vision correction?
A: Typically, adults over the age of 20 who have a stable prescription, healthy corneas, and are in good general health are recommended for LASIK or other vision correction procedures.

Are you tired of suffering from nearsightedness? Contact the vision experts at Rohr Eye & Laser Center to learn about our treatment options today.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Sleep Apnea Affects More Than Your Mood

 

According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes many people to stop breathing while sleeping, often multiple times per night. Those who suffer from this condition generally have ocular irritation, risk of floppy eyelids, dry tear ducts, and an increased risk of developing glaucoma.

There are different types of sleep apnea, the most common being Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which causes the airways to be partially blocked because of relaxed muscles in the nose and throat. Apnea (the absence of breathing) or hypopnea (slow, shallow breathing) is twice as common in men. It also generally affects people with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and/or heart disease.

When the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much to allow regular breathing, sleep apnea occurs, causing lower-quality sleep. The body’s oxygen supply is also greatly affected, which can typically lead to serious health conditions. Contrary to the popular misconception, not all those who snore suffer from sleep apnea.

Interrupted sleep can cause a variety of issues such as fatigue, daytime tiredness, irritability, depression, headaches, difficulty concentrating, distractedness, or sore throats.

When it comes to the eyes, sleep apnea can cause several major issues:

·         Glaucoma: increased pressure within the eye can damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss or blindness.

·         Floppy Eyelid Syndrome (FES): marked by an unusually large and floppy upper eyelid, FES can cause eye redness, irritation, discharge, and blurry vision.

·         Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION): symptoms occur when there is significant vision loss in one or both eyes without any pain, caused by a loss of blood flow to the optic nerve.

·         Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO): also called an eye stroke, it is categorized by a blockage within the small veins that carry blood away from the retina.

Other eye conditions correlated to sleep apnea include papilledema, keratoconus, and central serous chorioretinopathy.

Getting regular eye exams can prevent vision issues; contact Dr. Rohr’s office to schedule an appointment.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.