Poor Vision? Look No Further
September 13, 2006
More than 14 million Americans suffer from some form of visual impairment - most commonly myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Fortunately, there are numerous treatment options available to those suffering from these and other visual impairments. Current treatments widely used for poor vision as well as some that are still in development include the following:
- Lasik and other laser surgeries are used to correct vision by changing the shape of the cornea. Procedures like Lasik have become increasingly popular over the past decade, especially as advancements in technology are made.
- Corrective lenses , including glasses and contact lenses, were once the standard option for individuals needing to correct their vision.
- Orthokeratology is a non-surgical procedure that involves the use of special stiff contact lenses worn over night to flatten the eye. The effect of the lenses is temporary, so they must be worn every night for maximum effectiveness.
- Clear lens extraction involves the surgical removal of the eye's natural lens, which is then replaced with an artificial one.
- Phakic intraocular lens treatment is similar to clear lens extraction except that the natural lens is left in place.
- Pirenzepine eye gel is a product currently in development. A clinical trial involving more than 500 children with myopia showed that the condition progressed less rapidly among those using the gel than among those who received a placebo.
Other treatments shown to slow the progression of myopia include bifocal glasses and atropine, which is a drug used to dilate the pupils before an eye exam.
Poor vision? Please contact us today to learn more about treatment options for you.
