Will Nearsighted Vision Ever Improve on its Own?

Do you have trouble reading road signs when driving? Are TV and movie screens constantly giving you headaches? Nearsightedness (myopia) is a common condition that makes it challenging to see objects from far away. It occurs when the eyeball is long or the cornea – the front surface of your eye – has too much curvature.

Myopia typically develops during childhood and may worsen over time. While there is no known "cure" for nearsighted vision and it cannot be improved on its own, Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center provides advanced refractive surgery to treat the issue and reduce your dependency on corrective lenses.

Read below to learn from board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Young H. Choi and see if you are a candidate for vision-correcting surgery in Birmingham, AL.

What causes myopia?

While the exact cause of nearsighted vision is unknown, it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Nearsighted individuals rely on glasses or contact lenses to see clearly during everyday activities. Without lenses, you may have problems reading road signs or watching the TV from across the room. You may also experience headaches after extended periods of time reading or working on the computer.

It may be dangerous to drive without corrective lenses if you are severely nearsighted. If you experience any symptoms of myopia, schedule an appointment with Dr. Choi for an evaluation and diagnosis.

How is myopia diagnosed?

Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center offers cutting-edge tools and technologies to look closely at the inner workings of your eye. Dr. Choi may ask about your medical history and current vision problems before administering any tests. Try to describe any symptoms in as much detail as possible.

If you are found to be nearsighted, corrective lenses may be all that is needed to improve your vision. If your myopia is severe or causes problems in your day-to-day life, we may recommend refractive surgery to reshape the cornea and reduce your reliance on glasses or contacts long-term.

What is refractive surgery?

Refractive surgery is a vision correction procedure that carefully alters the shape of your cornea. By doing so, light is properly focused on the retina – the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye – and nearsightedness is corrected.

There are several kinds of refractive surgeries available, including LASIK and SMILE, in Birmingham, AL. LASIK is a popular choice because it is minimally invasive, virtually painless, and has a quick recovery time. It involves creating a tiny flap on the cornea and using a laser to reshape the tissue underneath. The flap is then replaced.

SMILE is a newer procedure that is ideal for patients with thin corneas who do not qualify for LASIK. It is also minimally invasive and can be done in a short period. However, it does not require the creation of a corneal flap. Instead, a small opening is made in the cornea so that the laser can access the tissue underneath.

Treat nearsighted vision

Nearsightedness does not have to put a damper on your life. If you have problems seeing road signs or experience headaches after watching TV, call Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center to see if you are a candidate for advanced refractive surgery near Birmingham, AL. Dr. Young H. Choi can form a custom treatment plan that meets your unique needs and lifestyle.