Short-sightedness (Myopia)

This is a refractive error of the eye whereby the eye is too long or where the optical corneal and lens thickness is too high. As a result of this disproportion, rays of light meet in front of the retina and as such, the resulting image is not sharp. This problem normally starts during school years and continues while growing up. The patient usually doesn’t see well into the distance, reading is usually fine. This problem is normally corrected using minus (diverging) glasses or contact lenses. In younger suitable patients needing surgical solution, the problem may be dealt with using laser corneal refractive surgery. In cases where the short-sightedness is more severe or where the cornea is too thin to perform surgery, a phakic lens may be implanted. In patients aged 45+ it is advisable to consider refractive lens exchange.