Correction of Myopia

The correction of myopia involves adjusting the way light rays enter the myopic eye so they hit closer to or directly on the retina. Eyeglasses or contact lenses alter the light rays, while correction with laser surgery reshapes the cornea.

A prescription for myopia is indicated with a negative number, such as -2.00. The higher the number, the stronger the lenses must be to correct the problem. Depending on the severity of the condition, eyeglasses or contacts may have to be worn only during activities that require distance vision or all the time.

Refractive surgery for myopia, such as LASIK or PRK, can restore vision to 20/20 or better, completely eliminating the need for glasses or contacts. In other patients, glasses may only need to be worn some of the time. LASIK and PRK are the most common surgical methods of correction for myopia. Both procedures reshape the cornea with a laser.

A non-surgical procedure called orthokeratology corrects myopia through the use of special contact lenses that slowly reshape the cornea. A similar procedure, corneal refractive therapy, allows contacts to be worn overnight for clear daytime vision without contacts or glasses. Implanted corneal rings also correct myopia by reshaping the cornea. These can be removed, adjusted to prescription changes or worn permanently.

For more information about correction of myopia, please contact us. Select your state below for a consultation.