Guide on Myopia: What is it & Laser Eye Treatments

A staggering 6.3 million Australians have myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness. The number is estimated to grow, and approximately 55 per cent of the population will have myopia by 2050. Even though myopia cannot be prevented from developing, certain treatments can be used to reduce its progression or correct it.

Myopia (near-sightedness) is when close objects appear clear, but the ones further away appear blurry. It occurs when the shape of the eye prevents the light from bending properly as it travels through the cornea and lens at the front of the eye and hits the retina at the back of the eye. The retina sends a signal to the brain that allows you to see. The eye shape may be too long from front to back, or the cornea may be steeply curved.

Some people are born near-sighted, while others become near-sighted later on. It is often discovered in the pre-teen years of children and can worsen in the teenage years when the body is rapidly growing. And although there is usually little change in the condition between the ages of 20 and 40, in some people, near-sightedness can continue progressing until early adulthood. Spending more time outside in the natural light and less time indoors can reduce the risk of children developing near-sightedness.

The signs of myopia include:

• Headaches 
• Eyestrain
• Squinting

It’s not known why some people have myopia and others don’t. A child with a parent who has myopia is more likely to have it, but not all parents pass on myopia to their children. 

Glasses or contact lenses can correct myopia in children and adults but there’s no ultimate cure. The prescription for glasses and contact lenses can change, so new ones are needed to keep seeing clearly. Adults can opt for a more permanent fix with refractive laser eye surgery.  

Myopia is a degenerative condition that can worsen with age. The elongation of the eyeball requires treatment to avoid retinal detachment.

Low-concentration atropine drops can help slow down the advancement of myopia. The progression of myopia can slow by around one-third to one-half compared to a placebo treatment. 

Laser surgery is used to correct myopia by reshaping the cornea to adjust how the light travels through the eye and onto the retina. Patients can choose between LASIK, PRK, and SmartSight, but your laser eye surgeon will discuss the best option for you when you visit Lions Laser Vision.  

LASIK is the most well-known and popular laser eye treatment. LASIK eye surgery is recommended in most cases. LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) is a technique using the SCHWIND ATOS to create a partial thickness flap of the cornea. The laser reshapes the surface beneath the flap. Your laser eye surgeon will discuss the best option for you when you visit Lions Laser Vision.  

Patients with a thin cornea or dry eyes may be suitable to have PRK (PhotoRefractive Keratectomy), which is another form of laser refractive surgery. With PRK, there is no flap cut in the cornea like LASIK. Therefore, PRK is a good alternative for people with a very active lifestyle or job, which can cause a healing corneal flap to be removed.

SmartSight is the newest form of laser eye surgery that is notably safe, gentle, and precise. It specialises in quick visual recovery and high post-procedure comfort, making it less invasive than other laser eye surgery types. The procedure uses a single laser to create a thin corneal tissue, which is then removed via a small incision. As a type of Refractive Lenticule Extraction (ReLEx), it has a decade-long safety record.

If you want to live freely without glasses and contact lenses, take our suitability test and find out if you’re eligible for laser eye surgery. Book a consultation at one of our clinics and speak to a highly-trained laser eye surgery specialist today by calling (08) 9381 0758 or contacting us online.