Nearsightedness (Myopia)
Treatment Overview
Although nearsightedness (myopia) cannot be cured, treatment can restore normal or near-normal vision.
Most people who are nearsighted simply wear glasses or contact lenses to correct their vision. This is the standard treatment for nearsightedness. But you may choose to have surgery to correct your vision.
- Corrective lenses refocus light entering the eye on the retina. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the treatment of choice for most people with nearsightedness. Both are safe and effective and are less risky and less expensive than surgery. Some people find that eyeglasses do not provide the same quality of central or side vision as contact lenses. And while contacts can provide excellent vision, they do carry a risk of infection and therefore require regular cleaning and maintenance. Prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses specify both the shape and power of the lens.
- Surgery changes the shape of the cornea. Several procedures are available, such as LASIK, photorefractive keratectomy, corneal ring implants, and intraocular lens implants (IOLs). See the Surgery section of this topic for more information.
See a general listing of the advantages and disadvantages of:
What To Think About
No single treatment is right for everyone who is nearsighted. Consider the following general points in deciding which option is right for you:
- How predictable are the results (how reliably does the treatment provide the exact amount of correction needed)?
- How stable are the results? Does the correction change over time?
- What are the risks and potential complications?
- How much maintenance and self-care are needed?
- How convenient is the option? What is the cosmetic effect (that is, how does it look on you)?
- Age can be a factor. In people younger than 20, the eyes may still be changing (refractive instability). Refractive eye surgery is rarely done in young children.
- The laser surgical procedures most commonly used to correct nearsightedness cause permanent changes in the eye. They cannot be reversed. Newer options such as corneal ring implants or intraocular lens implants (IOLs) can be removed if needed.
- What is the cost of treatment? Will insurance cover it? Provincial health plans usually do not cover the cost of surgery to correct nearsightedness.
Other considerations may affect your choice of treatment.
- Will the treatment affect your work or career? Some jobs (an aircraft pilot, for example) may not allow certain corrective treatments. Be sure to check with your employer or a professional organization or society in your field before you make a decision.
- If you actively participate in contact sports—such as boxing, football, wrestling, or martial arts—in which blows to the head, face, and eyes can occur, talk to your doctor about which treatment will work best for you.
- Certain health conditions and medicines may affect the outcome of surgical treatments. For example, autoimmune or immunodeficiency diseases and some medicines may prevent proper healing after surgery. Other conditions, such as pregnancy, diabetes, or use of steroid medicines, may cause changes in vision.
- Certain conditions in the eyes may affect your choice of treatment. For example, people who have a history of glaucoma, keratoconus, inflammatory eye diseases, herpes simplex keratitis, or past eye injuries or surgeries should avoid surgery to correct nearsightedness.
If you decide to have surgery, make sure you choose a surgeon who has low complication rates or extensive experience in performing the type of surgery you will have. Studies suggest that complications are not as likely to occur after surgery performed by an experienced surgeon as after surgery performed by a surgeon with less experience.4
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| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: August 22, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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