Blurry distance vision can make everyday life more frustrating, from reading road signs to recognizing faces across the room. Nearsightedness, also called myopia, happens when close objects look clear but distant objects appear blurred. While glasses and contact lenses can help, many patients want a more lasting solution, like LASIK, that fits their active lifestyle.
At Will Vision and Laser Centers, Dr. Brian Will offers advanced LASIK technology to help qualified patients reduce dependence on glasses and contacts for nearsightedness. With offices near Portland, OR, and in Vancouver, WA, the practice provides personalized laser vision correction planning focused on precision, visual clarity, and your personal best vision.
What is Nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness, also known as myopia or shortsightedness, is an eye condition in which individuals can see objects up close clearly but struggle to see objects that are far away. The further an object is in the distance, the blurrier it may appear. Those who are nearsighted may not realize it at first, as not every object will appear blurry.
For example, those who are nearsighted generally have no difficulty reading a book or a computer screen but may struggle to see traffic signs several hundred feet away. Those who are nearsighted may also experience ailments such as frequent squinting, eye strain, headaches, and fatigue while driving or playing sports.
What Causes Nearsightedness?
In the past, genetics were believed to be responsible for nearsightedness. However, environmental factors that appear to cause nearsightedness have recently been identified.
Based on recent population studies, the most likely source of this newfound prevalence of nearsightedness is increased near-vision use on smartphones, tablets, and computers. In addition, large scientific studies have linked light exposure to the progression of myopia.
As a result of this new research, eye doctors can now suggest that nearsightedness may be worsened by:
- Prolonged reading in low light
- Looking at a smartphone, tablet, or computer screen for excessive periods of time
- Spending too much time indoors
These studies suggest that people who spend more time outdoors in bright sunlight experience less progression of nearsightedness than those who spend most of their time indoors in artificial light. Bright light appears to stimulate the production of growth hormones that reduce the tendency of the eye to continue elongating and developing myopia.
The Myopia Epidemic
If you have trouble seeing things clearly from far away, you may be nearsighted, part of a growing number of people with this focusing problem. Since the introduction of computers, tablets, and digital phones, there has been a significant increase in the number of people with nearsightedness in the United States and other developing countries. This change is particularly alarming in the US pediatric population, where nearsightedness is becoming nearly epidemic.
Although historically eye doctors believed nearsightedness was primarily an inherited trait, there appear to be clear environmental factors that can influence the frequency and severity of this vision-focusing problem. When environmental factors are ignored or left untreated, people genetically predisposed to nearsightedness may experience further progression of this common vision disorder.
Lasik is an ideal way to treat myopia, the technical term for nearsightedness. Correcting the vision permanently through surgery and avoiding those factors that cause progression can provide you with a lifetime of clear, healthy vision.
Identifying and Preventing Nearsightedness
Diagnosing this condition as soon as possible is in everyone’s best interest. Regular eye exams are important for identifying the issue, as nearsightedness often develops at an early age. If you are nearsighted, there’s a high possibility your child will become nearsighted, too. If either you or your child has nearsightedness, several behavioral changes may reduce its progression:
- Wearing vision correction (eyeglasses) to minimize eye strain
- Reducing the number of near-tasks you or your child performs by restricting screen time
- Spending more time outdoors in recreational or work-related activities that do not require prolonged near-focusing
Myopia Treatment Options
Finding the right treatment for your needs first requires an eye exam, so Dr. Will can determine the severity of nearsightedness and discuss your preferences. Most patients who are nearsighted may regain clear vision with optical solutions ranging from simple glasses or contacts to advanced wavefront-guided refractive eye surgery (opens in new tab). In general, the earlier treatment is pursued the better so that patients can avoid the challenges that poor vision can create in both work and school.
Glasses
Glasses are the most common solution for people with nearsightedness allowing them to clearly see objects in the distance. For older patients who also suffer from presbyopia (opens in new tab), these glasses may be multifocal with correction for both distance and reading built into the same set of lenses. Glasses create a range of aggravations, from physical discomfort caused by the weight on the nose and ears to frustration when playing sports or participating in outdoor activities in the rain. Multi-focal glasses also often create a “fish-bowl” effect that can create dizziness and difficulty walking or ascending and descending stairs.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are highly popular, particularly since the introduction of soft contact lenses that can correct for astigmatism. Unfortunately, many people cannot simply tolerate the insertion or wearing of contact lenses. Others, although successful in the past, can no longer tolerate contact lenses due to the onset of allergies or dry eye. Fortunately, people who are unable to wear contact lenses are often ideal candidates for advanced wavefront-guided bladeless LASIK.
LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK surgery is a very popular and highly successful option for those who are nearsighted. During laser vision correction surgery, a laser reshapes your cornea, permitting light entering your eye to focus correctly. With today’s advanced technology, most people are excellent candidates for laser vision correction. Your specific condition dictates whether surgery can provide the results you’re looking for. It’s important to note that LASIK centers that use older technology may not be able to successfully treat your case.
Why Choose Will Vision and Laser Centers
With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Will has the expertise to determine the cause and severity of your condition and to recommend the best solution for your eyes. Most importantly, Dr. Will has only one goal when it comes to treating his patients: to create a lifetime of amazingly clear vision. Because every person and every eye is unique, Dr. Will personally meets with each patient and thoroughly examines their eyes to craft a solution that is ideal for their specific condition and visual needs.
Dr. Brian Will is dedicated to quality care, and his patients receive the personalized attention and visual results they need and deserve. Dr. Will provides a safe, effective, and accurate approach to patient diagnosis and treatment.
In addition to his many years of experience, Dr. Will’s passion for your personal best vision and his relentless pursuit of vision perfection set him apart from other doctors in the industry. As one of the most trusted surgeons in the world, he’s performed more than 75,000 laser vision procedures and, as a pioneer in the field of vision correction, he uses only state-of-the-art technology.
See Farther With LASIK for Nearsightedness in Portland, OR
Your eyesight is important. Whether you wish to pursue glasses, contacts, or surgery for the correction of nearsightedness, it’s critical for you to work with an experienced professional like Dr. Will, as you don’t want a rookie mistake to cause your vision to worsen or be permanently affected.
If you’re nearsighted and wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Will to discuss treatment options, contact his offices today by calling (360) 885-1327 or simply completing our online contact form (opens in new tab). Come visit us today and see the difference.