What can nearsightedness or myopia be corrected with?

Nearsightedness or myopia is a common eye condition where distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly. It occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

There are several ways to correct nearsightedness, including:

1. Eyeglasses or contact lenses: Corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, can help focus light correctly on the retina, improving visual acuity for distant objects.

2. Refractive surgery: Refractive surgery aims to permanently reshape the cornea to improve vision. Some common types of refractive surgeries for myopia include:

- Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK): This procedure uses an excimer laser to reshape the corneal surface.

- Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK): In LASIK, a thin flap is created on the corneal surface, and the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped using an excimer laser, followed by the replacement of the corneal flap.

- Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL): An ICL is a surgically implanted lens placed inside the eye between the iris and the natural lens to correct refractive errors.

3. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Ortho-K involves fitting customized rigid contact lenses that are worn while sleeping. These lenses gently reshape the cornea over time, providing temporary correction of nearsightedness during the day.

The best option for correcting nearsightedness depends on individual factors such as the severity of the condition, the overall eye health, lifestyle preferences, and discussions with an eye care professional.