What Type of Lens can be Used to Correct Nearsightedness?

Nearsightedness, also known as myopia or short-sightedness is a vision problem, where a person can view close objects clearly, but the distant ones appear blurry. This is a common eye condition and occurs due to a change in the shape of the eye, causing the light rays to refract inappropriately. This incorrect bending of rays puts the focus on images close to the eye, making the ones further away appear unclear. This problem occurs mainly when the eyeball is too long, or the cornea is not curved properly.

Nearsightedness develops gradually, usually when young. It intensifies during the growing years and adolescence. The cause of myopia can also be hereditary.  A person suffering from nearsightedness can face a problem in focussing on objects or images that are at a distance. Moreover, it can also cause partial squinting, discomfort, pain, headache, and vision issues, especially during the night.

However, the problem can be easily determined through regular eye check-ups and be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery.

Lenses used for Nearsightedness Treatment

Prescriptive lenses are used for nearsightedness treatment. These minimise the impact of the disfigured cornea or the increased length of the eye. These corrective lenses are concave in shape (indented surface) and thinnest in the middle, while thicker on the edges. The particular lenses that help people see far images clearer are commonly known as minus lenses.

Combined with the perception lenses, the following types of lenses from Essilor can help provide effective care for myopia:

• Crizal: These high-quality lenses offer the clearest vision possible. Crizal lenses are anti-reflective, which reduces the reflection of the glaring lights, allowing a better vision even at night time. These lenses also help reduce headache and stress caused to the eye due to myopia. Additionally, these help the wearer to avoid vision problems caused due to smudges, scratches, reflection, dust, water, UV rays, etc.
• Varilux: These are advanced progressive lenses, which offer clarity along with utmost comfort to a person suffering from myopia. These lenses offer a smooth transition between distances – near, far and in-between. The lenses clarify both the reading and distance vision and all that is in between.  Varilux lenses can be customised per the visual behaviour of the person and offer guaranteed adaptation.
• Transitions: These are the newest and the most intelligent light lenses. These wehelp people with myopia by blocking out the unwanted light, including harmful UV rays and blue light. They grant a high-quality vision both indoors and outdoors. A type of transition lenses, called XTRActive, have the power to even activate protection from UV rays from behind a windshield. 
• Eyezen: Specifically engineered with three advanced technologies, Eyezen focus, light scan, and wave technologies – the Eyezen lenses help to clear vision, with superior comfort. These lenses distribute the prescription power on the entire lens for extra focus support. Moreover, they deflect harmful blue light and only allow the permissible blue light quantity to enter in. Eyezen have been structured for a sharper vision, and minimise headaches, stress, tired eyes caused due to conditions, such as nearsightedness. 
• Xperio: These lenses, when combined with the prescription lenses, offer the most desired visual comfort. Xperio is crafted to eliminate the reflected glare, offer strong UV protection, and allow a truer colour perception to the person, while also fulfilling all vision needs.
• Optifog: In conditions such as myopia, the person might be required to wear glasses at all times. On a foggy day, glasses with a normal prescriptive lens might not be able to provide the perfect vision. But if they are combined with Optifog lenses, the wearer can be sure to have a fog-free vision at all times, along with extra UV protection.

Using High-Index Lenses for Correcting Nearsightedness

Apart from advancing in lenses, it is also advisable for spectacle wearers to opt for  high-index lenses instead of plastic ones. Minus prescriptive lenses configured as high-index lenses treat myopia while allowing superior comfort. They are perfect for rectifying myopia of -3.00 or greater.

High-index lenses are lighter and thinner to provide the finest comfort to spectacle wearers. These minimise the distortion of eyes, which is a fairly common problem with thicker lenses that were earlier used to correct myopia. Moreover, these lenses are aesthetically appealing and make it easier for people to see the whole face and eyes of the spectacle wearer.

Additionally, high-index lenses offer 100% UV protection and are made of scratch-proof materials to offer the finest experience and make vision clear. These lenses are also very affordable and highly durable. Combined with an anti-glare coating, the high-index lenses can also function more effectively to protect the eyes from harmful exposure to the digital screens.

Should you visit an optician?

Yes, for anyone experiencing symptoms of nearsightedness or blurry distant objects should visit an optician to get the corrective glasses. The optician will conduct an eye exam and determine the weakness in the eyes. Based on the weakness, the optician will prescribe the lenses with the supplementary power and design to correct the vision problem. It is beneficial to pair the prescription lenses with advanced lenses for a better vision, enhanced comfort and longevity.

FAQs

What causes nearsightedness?

Nearsightedness occurs when the curve of the cornea or the lens of the eye is not smooth. This causes improper refraction of light, leading the rays to fall in front of the retina instead of on its surface. Thus, blurring out distant objects. This problem occurs when the eyeball is too long, or the cornea is not curved appropriately.

What are the symptoms of nearsightedness?

Nearsightedness is a gradually increasing condition. It can have the following symptoms:

• Difficulty in focussing on images situated at a distance.
• Blurred distant objects.
• Partial squinting or stress on eyes while focusing on far images.
• Pain in the eyes or headache.
• Vision problem while driving, watching TV, etc. especially during the night.
• The constant urge to squint the eyes to focus on farther images.

Can nearsightedness be cured?

Yes, nearsightedness can easily be cured by visiting an ophthalmologist or even an optician to get an eye exam. Based on the exam, the optician will recommend corrective glasses, which will counteract the rays of the light in the outward direction and allow them to spread further. This will permit the light to fall directly on the surface of the retina. Thus, allowing the images in far sight to become clearer.