Choosing Myopia Treatment in Melbourne: Making Informed Decisions

Affecting approximately 30 per cent of Australians, myopia is a common type of refractive error. Also known as short-sightedness or near-sightedness, the condition makes distant objects like signs on the road appear blurry while closer ones like a book or screen appear clearly.

At NewVision Clinics, we help patients in Melbourne treat their short-sighted vision with laser eye surgery procedures. Here, we take a closer look at the condition and compare different treatment options so you can make an informed choice about what works best for your circumstances.

How Does Myopia Work?

Short-sighted vision commonly begins in childhood or adolescence and typically progresses as we get older. It’s the most common cause of vision impairment among those aged under 40. Myopia is a defect in how your eye focuses, with the focal point of light falling in front of the retina. Depending on the degree of short-sightedness and other factors such as age and the development of astigmatism, sometimes even nearer objects can start to appear blurry.

Risk Factors for Short-Sighted Vision

Even after decades of research, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of myopia. A combination of the following factors tend to affect your risk level for developing the condition:

• Genetics: if one or both parents have short-sighted vision
• Reduced time outdoors during childhood
• Increased time spent on near work indoors during childhood
• Frequent use of digital devices for work or leisure
• Ethnicity: South East and East Asians experience the highest prevalence of myopia in the world.

Myopia begins during childhood and tends to advance with age before stabilising during your late teens or early adulthood. Children with short-sighted vision typically need to change prescription glasses frequently as they grow.

Myopia Treatment Options

A range of myopia treatment options are available depending on the severity of your short-sightedness, your age, and unique personal circumstances. The goal of treatment is to improve your vision whilst slowing the progression of myopia and possible complications. Prescription glasses are an important early intervention for children.

Laser eye surgery, such as LASIK and PRK, can be used to reshape your cornea, allowing you to achieve clearer vision after a simple 15 to 20-minute procedure. Laser eye surgery is only suitable for adults with a stable refraction, that is, you haven’t had any change to your prescription for at least 6 months.

Book a Consultation for Myopia Treatment in Melbourne

The best way to make an informed decision about the right myopia treatment for your circumstances is by consulting with your optometrist and a specialist laser eye surgeon. The friendly NewVision team can offer personalised advice on whether LASIK or PRK is a good treatment option for your circumstances. Call 1800 20 20 20 or book a consultation online at our clinic in Melbourne.