Causes and Risk Factors of Myopia and Presbyopia

Myopia, commonly known as near-sightedness, occurs when the eyeball grows longer than normal or the cornea has too much curvature. This causes light to bend or focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Prolonged near work like reading, using digital devices or spending little time outdoors are major risk factors for developing myopia from a young age. Genetics also play an important role, as those with myopic parents are more likely to be nearsighted.

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of ability of the eyes to focus on near objects as we age, mainly due to the hardening of the lens. It is a natural part of the aging process caused due to reduced elasticity of the lens as a person grows older. By the age of 45-50, nearly everyone experiences symptoms of presbyopia which includes difficulty focusing while reading, holding objects farther away and sensitivity to glare from light sources. Risk factors include family history, diabetes and diseases affecting the eyes or lens.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

An eye exam conducted by an ophthalmologist can diagnose Myopia And Presbyopia Treatment and determine the degree of nearsightedness. Various tests help measure the focusing power of the eyes and detect any other vision problems. Presbyopia diagnosis is usually clinical based on symptoms and age.

For treating low to moderate myopia, over-the-counter reading glasses, bifocals or contact lenses with a refractive power are prescribed. For higher myopia, surgery options range from LASIK, PRK, LASEK and ICL implantation depending on the cornea health and degree of nearsightedness. These corrective surgeries are very effective and have a long-lasting outcome with minimal side effects.

Major treatment options for presbyopia include reading glasses, bifocals and progressively focused lenses. Bifocal and progressive addition lenses have different optical powers for distance and near vision built into the lens. Contact lenses tailored for presbyopia are also used. Monovision lens therapy aims to correct one eye for distance and the other for near focus. Several surgery techniques are available for severe presbyopia including corneal inlay implants and lens replacement surgeries.

Current Advancements in Treatment

Over the recent years, research is actively going on to develop new techniques and treatment modalities. With the goal to address early onset of myopia in children and slow its progression, orthokeratology contact lenses are gaining popularity. These RGP lenses are worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea and improve vision the next day without glasses. Another non-surgical option tested is Atropine eye drops which have shown effectiveness in controlling myopia progression in studies.

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