8 Common Misconceptions about Myopia: How to Separate Facts from Fiction?

Myopia or short sightedness is among the commonest refractive errors that affects over 1.40 billion people across the globe. It occurs when the rays of light entering the eyes stay focused in the front portion of the retina, causing the vision to become blurred. However, myopia is not just about blurry vision but often leads to serious eye disorders that damage the vision. Unfortunately, when it comes to myopia control, people trust their misconceptions more than the actual truth. It’s high time the fog clears and the actual truth prevails.

 

Here are 8 common misconceptions about myopia debunked:

1. Myopia affects children only

Ok, let’s face it. It’s true that a majority of cases of nearsightedness begins in childhood but there is no thumb rule. The condition may develop later as well during adulthood. Regular eye examinations is essential for every individual right from childhood to rule out the exact cause. A visit to the optometrist twice a year is one of the best strategies of myopia control.

2. Taking vitamin pills cure myopia

Using vitamins is believed to slow down the progression of age-associated macular degeneration and cataract but it has nothing to do with curing myopia. So, avoid taking vitamins for eyes randomly and always consult a healthcare professional.

3. Using eyeglasses or contact lenses worsen myopia

It’s the worst myth anyone with myopia should believe in. The straight fact is that prescription eyewear and contact lenses are given for myopia control. So, when the doctor prescribes eyeglasses or contact lenses, you need to follow their instructions instead of nurturing the misconceptions. Remember that getting the correct eyewear is the key to curing nearsightedness.

4. Slow myopia progression cannot be controlled

You cannot change or alter nearsightedness but several techniques and treatments can help it to slow down. For instance, special eyeglasses, day contact lenses or night lenses can help control gradual progression of myopia. Eye exercises too cannot alter myopia as it occurs due to an elongated eye and never due to muscle imbalance. Here is what you need to know:

• Ortho-K contact lenses are custom-fit and are known to slow down myopia progression as it helps reshape the cornea during sleep.
• Multifocal lenses clarify the vision at specific focal distances. Moreover, there is adequate evidence that wearing multifocal soft contact lenses or multifocal eyewear initiates myopia control compared to single-vision lenses or eyewear.

Studies reveal that spending more hours outdoors is more beneficial for children with nearsightedness than staying indoors

5. Myopia can be controlled without using eyewear

Well, myopia often stabilises as the person affected gets older but the reverse may also happen and it may keep progressing throughout life. However, there is no evidence to support that myopia stabilises without wearing glasses or contact lenses. Therefore, regular eye examinations are a must to monitor the progression of myopia. Apart from this, several other factors like ethnicity, genetics, and age are a few factors that may expedite the progression of nearsightedness. It is best to consult an ophthalmologist to monitor the condition.

6. Contact lenses are not safe for children

There are as many myths about myopia as are about its safety, and one of the commonest myths is that contact lenses are not safe for children and teenagers. The fact is that contact lenses are safe for kids and teenagers when it comes to myopia control and improvement of vision. As vision improves, children feel more confident to participate in various activities in school and outside. Today, special contact lenses are available to correct your child’s vision, and all that is needed is regular monitoring to rule out the development of potential complications.

 

7. A basic eye test helps control myopia

When it comes to controlling myopia in children, the optometrist you should have the right set of instruments needed to measure and monitor the axial length of the eyes. Apart from this, it is impossible to determine the curvature of the cornea without proper tools. With the right set of instruments and tools, it is easier to identify the type of myopia and administering appropriate treatment.

8. Myopia can be cured

The biggest myth surrounding myopia is that it can be cured and the fact is that it cannot be cured completely. You can manage the condition by choosing contact lenses and eyeglasses. But the condition cannot be reversed once it develops.

So, it’s all there, the myths and the facts. So, the moment you notice the symptoms of nearsightedness, begin applying myopia control methods immediately. At Malaya Optical, our qualified optometrists help lower the progression of nearsightedness with regular eye examinations and the right eyewear.