Nearsightedness 2023-02-14T07:17:03-05:00

Nearsightedness (myopia) is a condition that causes blurry distance vision

You can correct this common vision condition with glasses, contact lenses or surgery
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Nearsightedness (myopia) is a condition that causes blurry distance vision

YOU CAN CORRECT THIS COMMON VISION CONDITION WITH GLASSES, CONTACT LENSES OR SURGERY

AS SEEN IN

Fix your nearsightedness and be free from glasses and contacts

In this video, Dr Bennett Chotiner explains how you can fix your nearsightedness with laser eye surgery

Nearsightedness impairs your quality of vision

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THIS CONDITION AND HOW TO TREAT IT

Nearsightedness (myopia) incidence / prevalence

Myopia, unlike normal vision, occurs when the cornea is too curved, or the eye is too long. This causes light to focus in front of the retina, resulting in blurry distance vision.

Myopia is a common refractive error that affects nearly 30 % of the U.S. population. It normally starts to appear between the ages of eight and 12 years old, and almost always before the age of 20. As the body grows, the progression of myopia is a certainty and it typically stabilizes in adulthood.

Symptoms of myopia (nearsightedness)

  • Blurry distance vision

Myopia is a hereditary condition that runs in families.

Myopia is often diagnosed during school screenings. It is a refractive error that parents notice their children have with an escalating difficulty in seeing street signs, watching television and observing distant objects.

Your eye doctor can conduct a refractive evaluation to determine whether your eyes focus light rays exactly on the retina at a distance and near. A visual acuity test will determine your ability to see sharply and clearly at all distances.

Your eye doctor will also check your eye coordination and muscle control, as well as your eyes’ ability to change focus. All of these are important factors in how your eyes see.

Glasses and contact lenses may be prescribed to correct myopia. Once the prescription has stabilized, usually around 21 years of age, vision correction procedures such as LASIK, PRK and implantable contact lenses can be offered to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Other types of refractive errors include farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia.

Can myopia lead to blindness?

In extreme circumstances, myopia (nearsightedness) can lead to serious, vision-threatening complications, including blindness. However, this is rare and occurs primarily in cases where high myopia has reached an advanced stage called degenerative myopia (or pathological myopia).

When does myopia occur?

Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long during childhood. This causes light entering the eye to be focused short of the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye instead of directly on the retina. The result is blurry distance vision, although close-up vision remains clear.

Can being nearsighted cause headaches?

Nearsightedness definitely can cause headaches. In fact, headaches are one of the most common symptoms of uncorrected nearsightedness.

Is nearsightedness common?

Nearsightedness is the most common refractive error among children and young adults worldwide.

What are treatment options for myopia?

Treatment options for myopia correction include:

  • Eyeglasses
  • Contact Lenses
  • Orthokeratology
  • LASIK and other vision correction surgery

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we help PEOPLE IN AND AROUND THE HARRISBURG COMMUNITY LIVE IT UP WITH BETTER VISION

Very happy with all the staff, from check in, check out and nursing in pre op. Amazing. Very clean facility. Dr. Chotiner is so efficient and fast. Would recommend him to everyone.

Vey L.

Excellent care and personal attention are provided at Memorial Eye. Hats off to Dr. E. Chotiner, nurses and staff for making my experience there so great!

Q. B.

The staff and doctor were very accommodating. Always on time, if not earlier with appointments. The surgical staff was very attentive to any needs such as extra blankets if needed, and making sure you were comfortable while you waited for your surgery.

Pam C

First time in 78 years I can see well without prescription lenses! I was apprehensive to have any elective surgery during the pandemic with my age and health history. The staff sensed it and made an effort to deal with it very professionally.

W.H.R.

Wonderful practice with kind and supportive employees. The doctors are top notch and excellent!

A. Hendrix

Surgery was quick and easy. Staff was very pleasant. Would recommend Dr. Chotiner very highly.

Patricia Scheidler

Service is very complete and professional. Dr. Erik Chotiner was very friendly and able to answer all of my questions. I am very pleased with service and will recommend.

A. Lawrence

I would recommend Memorial Eye Institute and Dr. Erik Chotiner for their expertise. They are all very professional and caring for their patients. It was an excellent experience.

Joyce K.

I was very pleased with the efficiency and professionalism of the staff. You have a well oiled team. Everyone is very thorough. Thanks Dr. Rick and staff.

M.A.B.

I am so happy at how good I can see now. Everyone was very professional and efficient. I feel my Dr is one of the best. I wouldn’t go to anyone else. Every one there was just great. Thank you so much.

Glenn C.

We have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.

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I have a high prescription and I’m not suitable for laser eye surgery

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Academic resources on nearsightedness

FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THIS TREATMENT FROM AUTHORITATIVE SOURCES

Nearly 10 million adults found to be severely nearsighted in the United States

Largest U.S. study of its kind using American Academy of Ophthalmology’s national ophthalmic database also finds women at higher risk of potentially blinding complication. Click here to read on.

Short sightedness is the most common refractive error among children and young adults worldwide. Click here to read on.

Myopia (also called short sightedness) is the most common cause of impaired vision in people under age 40. In recent years, its prevalence is growing at an alarming rate. Click here to read on.

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Dr. Bennett Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR, GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY

Dr. Bennett Chotiner is the founder and medical director of Memorial Eye Institute. A noted innovator, in 1977 he established his clinical practice, the Pennsylvania Eye Associates. In 1984, he established the Pennsylvania Eye Surgery Center, Pennsylvania’s first …

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Dr. Erik A Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.

GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY

Erik Chotiner, M.D. diagnoses and treats a wide range of medical eye conditions. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Franklin and Marshall College. Dr. Chotiner attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia where he received multiple awards including the Physiology Prize for …

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