Since the advent of smartphones and tablets, researchers and eye care practitioners have wondered the same thing. Recent studies indicate it may be possible to control myopia by reducing its progression during childhood and among teens. However, at this time, there is no cure.

Nearsightedness Is Not an Eye Disease

Myopia is a refractive flaw caused by an elongated eyeball. This elliptical shape prevents light that enters the eye to not focus on the retina at the back of the eye. Instead, the light focuses on the front of the retina, causing objects to appear blurry in the distance.

Myopia Control

Finding the best treatment for myopia first requires an eye exam. Board-certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Will can determine the severity of your myopia. He will suggest a clear pathway to regain clear vision from solutions as simple as wearing glasses to wavefront-guided refractive eye surgery. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better the patient can avoid poor eyesight at school or work.

Glasses

Glasses are the most popular solution for nearsighted patients. It allows them to see objects in the distance with clarity. For our older patients who suffer from presbyopia, glasses may be multi-focal, offering correction for reading and distance built into the same set of lenses.

However, they may cause a collection of aggravations. These include physical discomfort on the nose and ears, inconvenience when participating in physical or sporting activities, and fogging in humid conditions. Multi-focal glasses can create a fish-bowl effect that can generate dizziness, difficulty walking, or going up and down the stairs.

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are trendy, particularly since the introduction of soft contact lenses that can correct for astigmatism. Unfortunately, many people simply cannot tolerate the insertion or wearing of contact lenses. For others who have successfully used contacts in the past, they can sometimes no longer tolerate them due to the onset of allergies or dry eye. Fortunately, those who cannot wear contact lenses are frequently ideal candidates for advanced Wavefront-Guided Bladeless Lasik.

Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK)

LASIK surgery is a popular, safe, and highly effective option for nearsightedness. Its laser is designed to reshape your cornea, permitting light entering your eye to focus correctly. With today’s advanced technology, most patients are suitable candidates for laser vision correction.

Your specific condition dictates whether surgery can provide the results you want. It’s essential to note LASIK centers that utilize older technologies cannot deliver the best results available.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Will to discuss treatment options for myopia, contact his Vancouver, Washington, Salem, or Portland, Oregon offices today. Call (877) 542-3937 or complete our online contact form.

The post Myopia: Is There A Cure for Nearsightedness? appeared first on Will Vision.

Are you looking forward to 4^th of July fireworks this year? Enjoy the fun, but do it safely. This guide will help you protect your eyes, and the rest of you too, from the dangers of fireworks this year.

Fireworks Injuries- How Common Are They?

Thousands of firework injuries occur every year, most often during the period from late June to late July. Here are some recent statistics:

• 10,500 ER visits for fireworks injuries in 2014.
• 19% of fireworks injuries harmed the eye. Other commonly injured areas include the hand or finger (36%) and the face, head, or ear (19%).
• More than half (54%) of firework injuries are burns.
• Sparklers are a primary cause of firework related injury, accounting for more than a quarter (28%) of ER visits.
• 44% of those injured by fireworks were under the age of 15. Approximately 9% of all injuries occurred in children under the age of 5.
• 1,300 eye injuries were caused by fireworks in 2014, more than double the 600 reported in 2012.
• Children ages 5-9 are 2.4 times as likely to be injured by fireworks than the general population.
• Nearly half of those injured by fireworks were not the ones handling the explosives, but were bystanders.

How Do Fireworks Injure the Eyes?

Fireworks can cause severe eye injuries including rupture of the globe, chemical and thermal burns, corneal abrasions, and retinal detachment, all of which can cause permanent vision loss and even blindness. Prevention is essential for protecting your eyes.

How Can I Protect My Eyes from Fireworks?

The best way to protect your eyes from fireworks is to avoid using home-use fireworks. Enjoy your 4^th of July fireworks by visiting a professional display, put on by trained professionals. When at a firework show, remain behind the safety barriers and avoid touching any unexploded fireworks.

If you do choose to use fireworks at home, these safety tips can help reduce the risk of injury to the eyes.

• Do not let young children play with fireworks.
• Wear appropriate protective eyewear when handling fireworks or watching at-home firework displays.
• Use legal fireworks, approved for home use.

H2: In Case of Emergency- How to Handle a Firework Eye Injury

If injury to the eye occurs when using fireworks, follow these guidelines:

• Seek immediate medical attention.
• Avoid rubbing or rinsing the eye.
• Do not apply pressure or use ointments. Do not take blood-thinning pain medications like aspirin or ibuprofen.
• Do not remove any objects stuck in the eye.

Your vision is one of your body’s greatest gifts. Protect it by using fireworks safely. Enhance and improve your vision with LASIK surgery. Contact us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Will.

The post Fireworks and Eye Safety appeared first on Will Vision.