Did you know that nearly 9 and a half million American adults have myopia? That’s nearly 4% of all adults in the entire country! 30% of Canadians have the condition, as well, making it one of the most common vision problems globally—and these numbers are on the rise.
At Dr.'s Eyecare Center Myopia Control Center, Dr. Robert Levy and the staff help patients with their vision correction needs. If you or a loved one have any vision difficulties, we can help.
All You Need To Know About Vision Correction
Vision Correction is used to correct refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (when light enters the eye incorrectly), or presbyopia (farsightedness due to aging).
What Is A Refractive Error?
The ability to see images or objects with clear, sharp vision results from light entering the eye. Light rays bend or refract when they hit the retina, sending nerve signals to the optic nerve, which then sends these signals to the brain. The brain processes them into images, allowing you to understand what you see. When these light rays bend incorrectly, it results in a refractive error and typically causes blurry or cloudy vision.
Your eye doctor will often prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct the vision impairment. Glasses and contacts enhance your vision by shifting the way that images enter your eyes. They refract light properly, so that your brain processes images correctly, resulting in clear vision. However, corrective lenses do not cure vision problems; they simply enhance your existing vision.
What Is Considered “Vision Correction”?
Since the primary cause of vision problems is caused by light bending incorrectly as it enters the eye, virtually any method of treatment that changes this can be categorized as a form of vision correction.
Eyeglasses and contact lenses – the most common types of corrective measures – are almost always recommended as the first course of treatment for vision problems. While they are considered a very basic method of vision correction, they are unable to control the refractive error from progressing. Patients whose vision worsens over time need new glasses or contacts. In these cases, longer-term solutions are needed.
Deciding upon the right course of treatment for refractive errors can depend on several factors such as age, your lifestyle and daily activities, eye health, and overall physical health. Dr. Robert Levy will conduct a thorough eye exam and discuss your and your family’s medical history to get a complete picture of your vision needs.
