The human eye is a wonder of precise engineering, but one minor deviation can result in a condition known as 'nearsightedness'. As the name implies, nearsighted people can still focus on objects within a short distance from their face, but faraway objects remain blurry and unfocused. This condition is generally caused by a slightly elongated eye, which causes some incoming images to be focused at a point behind the retina instead of squarely on it. When unfocused images enter the eye and miss the retina, the brain cannot process the image clearly. The result is a blurring sensation which can vary from patient to patient. Some nearsighted people can still focus on a book held several feet away, while others lose focus only inches away for their eyes.
Correcting nearsightedness usually involves one of two procedures- change the focal point or change the shape of the eye. Eyeglasses are designed to refract incoming images so they are focused directly on the retina. Laser eye surgery changes the actual shape of the cornea, which helps to pull the focus point up to the retina. Contact lenses also change the basic shape of the eye, which in turn changes the focal point.
But what are all the options available to correct nearsightedness, and what can patients expect from each option? Here are the most common options for correcting nearsightedness and their relative pros and cons:
1. Eye exercises and vitamins. Some alternative health experts recommend a regimen of specific eye exercises to strengthen the vision of patients with mild to moderate nearsightedness. These exercises vary from doctor to doctor, but most involve concentrating on various targets at different distances. By actively forcing the eyes to focus on distant targets, the patient may develop better eyesight. Eye-friendly vitamins such as Vitamins A and K are also recommended as natural vision boosters.
The advantages of this method are no expensive eye exams or corrective lenses are required and the body is given every opportunity to heal itself- a philosophy which sits very well with people concerned about overmedicating. The drawbacks include inconclusive results and the real possibility of needing more traditional correction after weeks or months of hard work.
2. Eye glasses. For many, this is the first and easiest route to pursue. Patients will need to have a complete eye examination before receiving a prescription for the glasses themselves. These exams can cost as much as $100 and are only valid for a year. Patients who must get replacement lenses after that time cannot get them without a new exam and new prescription. Nearsightedness can stay at the same level for years or suddenly take a turn for the worse or better yearly. Eye doctors will examine a patient's eyes for any serious medical conditions (glaucoma, infection, tumors) and then measure the degree of nearsightedness through a series of lenses. Typically, patients view a blurry image until it becomes sharp enough to read comfortably. The eye doctor will then determine the proper level of correction needed and write a prescription for the lenses.
The pros of eye glasses are availability and reliability. Prescriptions can be filled at any number of optical stores, and frames are available in a wide variety of fashions. Many modern lenses are made from a lightweight polymer and are barely noticeable after a short period of adjustment.
The cons of eye glasses vary from wearer to wearer, but many patients are not happy with wearing a corrective device on their faces. Glasses can be broken during routine activities and playing sports can be difficult without specially-made sports glasses. Sunglasses must either be made from a prescription (which is more expensive than traditional sunglasses) or worn at the risk of the wearer. Eye glasses can also feel heavy and must be accounted for at all times.
If a patient feels the need to switch corrective measures, it's generally from eye glasses to some other option.
3. Contact lenses. For years, the contact lens was seen as the latest and greatest advance in vision correction. Contact lenses do not require bulky frames and do not 'advertise' a wearer's visual impairment. A doctor must perform a more thorough exam for contact prescriptions, which can mean a higher bill for the privilege. The actual shape and condition of the eye must be measured in order to determine the proper degree of correction. Once the doctor has determined a prescription, contact lens wearers are free to order their lenses from optical shops or specialty stores. Contacts do require a lesson or two on proper installation and storage, but most wearers learn quickly. Some prefer contacts over glasses because of the increased peripheral vision. The level of correction overall is about the same as eye glasses, and patients must return for more exams after a year has elapsed. Contact lenses do not improve nearsightedness permanently, they simply restore the focus to the retina.
The pros of contact lenses are invisibility and flexibility. Wearers can buy regular sunglasses without the need for prescription lenses. Contacts are available in every natural shade of eye color, plus some non-traditional designs. Contact lenses can be replaced at a nominal charge, or may even be completely disposable after a day or a week. Athletes can wear contacts while playing most sports. Contacts are not routinely removed as often as glasses, so they are not liable to be lost or damaged by accident.
The cons of contact lenses can be significant. Some wearers may experience an increase in eye infections and irritations. Contacts require more diligence during cleaning, installation and storage. A dropped contact can be very difficult to locate, and must be carefully handled and cleaned before re-installation. Some contact lenses tear easily or are poorly designed by non-professionals. Chemicals for storage and cleaning can add up financially over the lifetime of the lenses. Some wearers experience uncomfortable dryness and must use special eye drops for lubrication. Lenses can become 'switched' to the wrong eye by accident, and can also be installed inside-out by mistake.
4. 'Corrective' contact lenses. One relatively new option is a special contact lens designed to be worn overnight, not as a daily corrective device. The lens is thicker than a standard version, and has a more pronounced curve. The wearer is advised to install these lenses at bedtime and keep them in their eyes overnight. Upon waking, the lenses are cleaned and stored. The unique curve of the lens is designed to physically change the shape of the eye itself. A corrected image reaches the ideal focal point on the retina, resulting in near-perfect vision for up to 12 hours or more without any lenses at all.
As the eye returns to its original shape, the wearer once again becomes nearsighted. The lenses could conceivably be worn during the day for emergencies, but their primary function is to reshape the eyes.
The pros of this correction method are convenience and lower maintenance costs. Wearers can purchase regular sunglasses without prescription lenses and the effect generally lasts long enough for an average commute and workday. No surgery is required in order to reshape the eye, which means no downtime during recovery and few complications.
The cons of corrective lenses are the unknown long term effects and the eventual return of nearsightedness. Wearers who work long hours or have numerous activities may find their eyesight failing over time. Driving home after a long day may prove problematic, so wearers may have to have a secondary corrective system in place.
5. Laser eye surgery. This method of correction probably receives the most attention of any procedure available. What started out as a mechanical process involving radiant cuts on the cornea has now been streamlined through the use of lasers. The basic idea of laser eye surgery remains the same, however. A trained eye doctor makes tiny radial 'slices' across a patient's eye.
These cuts eventually heal and change the overall shape of the eye, thus restoring the focal point on the retina. Patients can literally come into an office in the morning and be cleared for work the next day. Recovery can be a little painful, but not intolerable. Some report a scratchy sensation while others experience a sensitivity to light. The resulting vision correction is usually permanent, or at least viable for 10 years or more.
The pros of laser eye surgery are longevity and convenience. The correction itself should last for many years, reversing the trend of worsening eyesight. Surgical patients no longer need a secondary corrective method or chemicals. For all intents and purposes, their vision is just as normal as the rest of the population. Certain occupations which require perfect vision are no longer out of reach.
The cons of laser eye surgery are cost and the unknown complications. Laser surgery on eyes is not cheap- patients may pay $1000 per eye under some circumstances. Insurance may consider this surgery to be elective, which means limited or no coverage depending on the individual policy terms.
Laser eye surgery is no longer considered experimental, but many policies do not cover ANY form of vision correction. Because the latest surgery techniques are still relatively new, few long-term studies exist. Some early surgical patients have had some loss of visual acuity over the years and others have experienced increased eye infections or more frequent eyestrain.
