Is it possible to eliminate nearsightedness?

The doctor. Artiaga is a specialist in Ophthalmology that currently works in the ophthalmological clinic Oftalvist, with centers in several points of the Spanish territory. The doctor is an expert in the treatment of eye diseases such as myopia, which he exposes in this article.

Myopia is the refractive defect that prevents seeing distant objects well and with difficulty nearby objects as a consequence of focusing the images in front of the retina. There is also what ophthalmologists call pathological myopia, associated with neurodegenerative changes in the retina and in the macula, which consists of having more than 6 diopters of graduation. One of the main risk factors for developing a retinal detachment is precisely pathological myopia. Likewise, myopic macular degeneration can occur in young people producing severe alterations in central vision.

Myopia: symptoms

Myopia manifests mainly in school age, when the child realizes that he is able to see nearby objects but the distant ones see them blurred. Normally, this type of person usually approaches the television, it is difficult for them to guess what is written on a blackboard or to squint to see the sharpest objects.

Myopia: treatment

Today there are different options to correct refractive errors; Choosing one or the other will take place during the specific preoperative tests of refractive surgery, and will depend mainly on the patient's age and gradation, as well as on the thickness of the cornea.

At Oftalvist we perform the Lasik technique, which is the usual technique, with an advanced femtosecond laser platform. Unlike other centers, we do it without a mechanical blade or microkeratome; In this way we perform 100% laser procedures, more secure and precise.

Broadly speaking, the technique consists of:

• First phase: the surgeon lifts a thin layer of corneal tissue similar to a lens. This cut is currently done in two ways: with femto-laser technology or manually with a blade. As I was saying, in Oftalvist we are committed to carrying out this survey with a femtosecond laser, for a much more advanced, personalized, accurate and safe surgery. Thus, we completely discard the use of a mechanical microkeratome with a blade that leads to greater ocular trauma. It is important, therefore, that the patient be well informed in their center of how they are going to proceed in the Lasik technique for this first part of the surgery.
• Second phase: we corrected the graduation by shaping the cornea with a last generation MEL 90 Excimer laser.

Finally, we can also correct myopia with a phakic lens. An ICL lens is a phakic lens, which means that it is implanted without the need to remove the transparent lens of the eye. The surgeon places it in the posterior chamber behind the pupil, between the iris and the lens. This technique is optimal for patients, mainly young, with high myopia or hyperopia, limited visions or very thin corneas that can not be treated by the usual Lasik technique.

Myopia: prevention

It can help prevent the growth of diopters by protecting the eyes with approved glasses that protect from solar UV rays, maintaining a correct distance during reading, as well as adequate light and good nutrition.