Myopia
If light coming into your eye falls directly on the retina, the light sensitive tissue at the back of the globe, you see well. If that light focuses in front of the retina, you don’t see well. This is myopia.
Commonly called “nearsightedness,” myopia means that you can see well up close, within arm’s length. While your vision is blurred in the distance. This is usually caused by the front of the eye being too strong (refractive myopia), or the eyeball being too long (axial myopia). Both circumstances lead to light entering the eye coming to focus in front of the retina.
In this eyeball light focuses in front of the retina leaving your vision blurred for driving or even watching TV. A corrective contact lens can be fit to focus light onto the retina, sharpening your distance vision.
At Parrelli Optical in Assembly Row (Somerville), Beverly, Danvers, and North Andover you can be successfully fit to contact lenses to correct nearsightedness.
Myopia Epidemic
Today, more than 40% of Americans have myopia and that number is increasing at an alarming rate, especially among school-aged children.
Myopia is being diagnosed in children earlier than ever before. This gives it more time to progress and worsen. Higher amounts of myopia significantly increase the risk of sight threatening complications for you child later in life.
Myopia is Nearsightedness
If your child squints, sits close to the TV or holds a tablet too close they might have a condition called myopia. It is more commonly known as nearsightedness. The nearsighted eye becomes longer over time, which causes distant objects to appear blurry. And, if it is not addressed early, myopia often worsens as your child gets older leading to serious eye health issues. There are new FDA approved treatment options for Myopia Control.
Slowing the Progression of Nearsightedness Starts at Parrelli Optical in Assembly Row (Somerville), Beverly, Danvers, and North Andover.