Myopia

Myopia Treatment Abroad

Overview

yopia is a medical term that defines nearsightedness. An individual diagnosed with myopia sees things more clearly the closer an object is to the eyes, while distant objects may appear blurred or fuzzy. The condition is caused when light entering the eye doesn't focus directly on the retina, but lands in front of it. With this condition, vision is focused when looking at objects up close, but is out of focus when looking at more distant objects.

Specifically, myopia occurs if the cornea, or that clear, front piece of the eye, is curved too much, or if the eyeball itself is too long. If this happens, light entering the eye will not be focused correctly.

Common Treatments for Myopia

The most common treatments taken to correct or improve myopia are contact lenses, glasses, or corrective lenses. Refractive surgery is also an option.

In order to treat myopia, an ophthalmologist or eye specialist will first need to perform a comprehensive optometry examination, after which the optometrist may prescribe contact lenses or eyeglasses that correctly focus images at the back of the eye.

Corneal refractive therapy known as orthokeratology or ortho-k is also an option. This procedure, also known as corneal refractive therapy is a nonsurgical procedure that has an individual wearing specially designed, rigid contact lenses that help to gradually reshape the corneal curvature. The lens is itself placed under a small amount of pressure on the in order to flatten it, changing how light enters the eye.

Corrective lenses, or glasses, are often the first step toward treating myopia, although today, intraocular lenses, which are surgically implanted, are also common, when used in reractive procedures. Individuals diagnosed with myopia or nearsightedness, require a divergent lens.

Laser procedures are also commonly used to treat myopia in adults. Laser procedures  reshape the cornea by removing very small amounts of eye tissue. Individuals with more severe myopia may benefit from refractive surgery procedures that involve implanting a small lens with optimal optical correction directly inside the eye, either just in front of the lens or by replacing the natural lens with a substitute. 

The procedure that places the implant in front of the natural lens is called a phakic intraocular lens implant, while replacing the natural lens is known as a clear lens extraction with intraocular lens implantation.

Reshaping of the cornea using laser technologies to correct myopia or nearsightedness are commonly performed in two specific procedures: PRK and LASIK.

PRK (photo refractive keratectomy) removes a very thin layer of tissue from the cornea's surface to change its shape and in how it focuses light entering the online.

LASIK procedures don't remove actual tissues from the corneal surface, but from its inner layers. In this procedure, the outer corneal surface is cut and then folded back in order to expose inner tissues. The laser then removes a specific amount of corneal tissues necessary to reshape it. The flap of the outer tissues is then replaced and allowed to heal.

How Much does it Cost?

In the United States, LASIK eye surgery can run anywhere between $500-$1,000 per eye. In most cases, vision insurance does not cover the procedure in the United States, although some vision care insurance companies are starting to add it to their policies.

In the United States, a PRK treatment for both eyes ranges around $1,800. Always check with your vision insurance policy, as many insurance plans do not cover the cost of this type of surgery, as it is considered to be elective. In Thailand, the same procedure costs about $1,500. In India, the treatment is priced around $700, a substantial savings for medical tourists.

Who performs Myopia Treatments and Procedures?

An ophthalmologist performs treatments regarding approaches to improving myopia. Your ophthalmologist should be licensed and trained and certified to perform refractive procedures and trained and certified in the use of laser equipment. He or she should also be licenses by local, state, and national medical boards.

If you want to know more, you can always contact us and ask for more info.