It can be easy to prevent myopia from getting worse once you know what causes it. Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is caused by a distortion in the shape of the eyeball. Due to this slight distortion, images are projected on the front of the retina rather than directly onto the retina. Those with myopia probably see objects very well when they are up close, but have trouble seeing things that are far away.
Most people with myopia wear glasses or contact lenses, but these things do not prevent myopia from worsening. Instead, they reduce the symptoms of myopia. Here are some ways that you can prevent myopia from getting worse.
Spend a lot of time outside
If you are interested in trying to prevent myopia from worsening, you may want to consider spending more time outside. Myopia worsens when one spends too much time in a state of near focus. Activities such as reading for long periods of time or knitting can lead to a worsening of the condition. To prevent myopia from worsening, spend time outside and try to focus on objects that are in the distance.
Take breaks when using computers or cell phones
As mentioned above, myopia worsens when one spends too much time looking at objects that are in near focus. This includes your computer and cell phone screens! It can be easy to spend hours on end looking at electronics screens, but this will inevitably worsen the condition of your eyes. Try to give your eyes a break every fifteen to twenty minutes. Take a minute or two to focus your eyes on something other than the screen. This routine exercise of the eyes will help prevent myopia from worsening. It is also beneficial to give the eyes a break from looking at the harsh light of the screen.
Vision therapy
If you are serious about trying to prevent myopia from worsening, then you may want to consider adopting a daily routine of eye exercises. Those who spend many hours a day at school or work at a desk job may want to consider spending time to exercise the eye. Vision therapy utilizes eye movements such as convergence, fusion, and accommodation. The best thing about vision therapy is that most people don’t have to do it forever. Once you have built strength up in the eye muscle, you can reduce the amount of time you spend doing vision therapy, but just like any muscle, you will need to maintain a certain level of exercise to keep the muscles in your eyes strong.
Talk to your doctor on how to prevent myopia
If you are trying to prevent myopia from worsening, please consult a doctor. Doctors here at the New Jersey Eye Center in Bergen County, NJ are eager to help lead you with any questions or concerns that you may have about your vision health, including how to keep your current vision from worsening. We can recommend specific courses of action and ensure you’re on the right track to prevent myopia and keep your eyes healthy.
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