Myopia, Also Known As Nearsightedness, Is a Condition Where Objects in the Distance Are

Myopia

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a condition where objects in the distance are blurred because the eye itself is too long or too powerful. In a normal eye, images coming into the eye meet at the back of the retina. In a myopic eye, the images meet in front of the retina, resulting in a blurred image. There are several types of myopia.

-Simple Myopia- The most common kind of myopia, caused by eyes that are either too long or too powerful.

-Congenital Myopia- Develops in infants, and is caused by an obstruction along the visual pathway, such as a cataract.

-High or Degenerative Myopia- More severe than other types of myopia associated with pathological changes in the retina. Degenerative myopia is the seventh leading cause of legal blindness and is most often seen in people of Japanese, Chinese, Middle Eastern, or Jewish ancestry. It is thought to be hereditary.

-Nocturnal Myopia- Sometimes referred to as night blindness, where vision is blurred only in darkness

Myopia is the result of both environmental and genetic factors. No gene for myopia has been identified, but children with two myopic parents have a 60% chance of having myopia, whereas a child where neither parent is myopic has a 15% chance. Myopia is also common in children who are premature. High myopia is associated with such syndromes as Down’s, Marfan’s, and Ehlers-Danlos. Overall, 25% of the population of the United States is myopic.

Symptoms

Symptoms of myopia include blurry vision when looking at objects at a distance. Signs to look for in children include difficulty seeing objects such as the chalkboard or sitting too close to the TV.

Treatment

The most common treatments for myopia are glasses or contact lenses. These can be used in combination to achieve optimum vision both near and at a distance. Rigid Gas Permeable(RGP) lenses can also be used in individuals with myopia. Specifically, using a series of gradually flatter RGP lenses to help flatten the cornea to adjust where light strikes the retina. Bifocals can also be utilized in individuals with myopia. Refractive surgery to correct myopia is only an option for adults, as the eye of a child is still growing and changing.

Implications

-Students with myopia should receive the proper medical and educational evaluations. A good ophthalmological evaluation, preferably by a pediatric ophthalmologist is needed, along with regular check-ups to assess the adequacy of refractive correction. This is especially important in children with progressive myopia and children with other associated conditions.

-Teachers and parents should be aware that a child with myopia is using appropriate visual aids at the proper times. For example, a child should be encouraged to do near work without glasses.

-Back up glasses should be provided in case of an emergency. Not having a replacement for broken or lost glasses can cause issues with function and safety.

-A functional low vision evaluation should be performed by a Teacher of the Visually Impaired if indicated by the degree of vision loss, to assess the need for low vision aids such as magnifiers, monoculars, or computer adaptations.

-An Orientation and Mobility specialist should conduct an evaluation to assess mobility issues and need for travel aids, orientation and mobility training, and safety.

-Preferential seating should be provided.

-Efforts should be made to reduce glare, such as closing curtains or seating away from windows.

-Large print materials, such as textbooks, worksheets, and tests, may be needed, as well as extra time for tests and assignments.

-A “buddy” may be needed to help verbalize distance activities and to assist with travel, such as class changes, fire drills, etc.

-Teachers and parents should encourage the use of low vision aids and encourage independence and exploration.

References

Myopia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2010, from

http://www.healthofchildren.com/M/Myopia.html

Degenerative Myopia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2010 from

http://www.mdsupport.org/library/myopic.html

Astigmatism, Hyperopia, and Myopia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2010 from

http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/site1517/mainpages1517PO.html

Region 4 Education Service Center. (Eds). (2004). Program in Low

Vision Therapy. Houston: Region 4 Education Service Center.

Goldberg, M.D., S & Trattler,M.D., W. (2009), Ophthalmology Made

Ridiculously Simple (4th ed.) Miami: MedMaster,Inc.