Myopia

Definition: Myopia is a condition that allows someone to see objects that are close clearly, but objects that are far are blurry. They may not have any trouble reading road signs or seeing a blackboard, but activities such as reading and sewing can be difficult. Myopia is caused by the eyeball being too long or the cornea is too curved. This causes the light entering the eye to focus correctly. The light focuses in front of the retina, rather than right on the surface. Symptoms can include squinting, fatigued from driving or such, headaches, eye strain, or blurry vision. Myopia is usually passed down from generations and gets worse with age. It can be caused by visual strain from things such as reading or using the computer. Myopia can be caused from someone having diabetes or from the beginning of a cataract. Myopia can be treated by contacts, eye glasses, laser surgery, or orthokeratology. Orthokeratology is the use of rigid contacts to reshape the cornea.

Implications: If I had a student that had myopia and wasn’t diagnosed, I would do everything I could to get it diagnosed and corrected. Once that happened, I would meet with that student and their parents to see what works best and how the student is affected. Because textbooks and paper assignments would not cause any problems, that would not be my focus. My focus would be put on the use of computers and distance things such as blackboards or overhead projectors. I would limit the on screen computer use because this can actually cause myopia and could actually make it worse. For activities that I may be writing on the board or using an overhead projector, I would make sure to write it up before hand to hand to this student. They should not miss out of any activities because of myopia.

Specific Technology:

Phoropter: instrument used to measure how your eyes focus light
Retinoscope: hand held instrument used to place light in your eye
Orthokeratology: use of rigid contacts to shape the cornea
PRK: removes piece of cornea to shape the cornea
LASIK: removes inner layers of cornea to shape it

Annotated Bibliography:

American Optometrist Association. (2009). Myopia (Nearsightedness). Retrieved April 2, 2009 from http://www.aoa.org/myopia.xml.

This association provided good information about myopia and how it affects someone. It also explained in great detail how it can be treated and how it is diagnosed.

Erickson, M. (2008). Eye Conditions. Nearsightedness (Myopia). Retrieved April 2, 2009 from http://www.stlukeseye.com/conditions/myopia.asp#t.

This website provided basic information about myopia. It discussed the definition, causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Health Communities. (2008). Vision Channel. Myopia. Retrieved April 2, 2009 from http://vision.healthcommunities.com/refractiveerrors/myopia.shtml.

This website provided information about myopia. It had risk factors, treatment, and many different prevention methods.

Lee, J. (2009). All About Vision. Myopia (Nearsightedness). Retrieved April 2, 2009 from http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/myopia.htm.

This website was very informative on myopia. It had great information about what it is and a very interesting video on how light is focused in the eye.

Rehm, D. (2006). International Myopia Prevention Association. The Problem. Retrieved April 2, 2009 from http://www.myopia.org/.

This website was produced by a group of people that believe myopia is not inherited and can be caused by the family eye doctor. They provided different reasons of why myopia can occur.