Local Cary NC myopia control clinic is major treatment hub for nearsightedness
Nearsightedness is a growing problem in the United States, and it is one that has no definitive cure and can drastically limit a person’s quality of life. That is what makes Cary Family Eye Care such a valuable asset to the Research Triangle and the Tar Heel State
Cary Family Eye Care has a special Myopia Control Clinic, which is designed to provide a myriad of treatment options for various stages of myopia. The affliction can start in early childhood and because it becomes progressively worse over time, it can cause the patient’s prescription to become very high and increases the risk of serious ocular health concerns.
It is estimated that 4 in 10 Americans are afflicted with myopia, or nearsightedness, with 7 in 10 Asians having the issue. A person becomes nearsighted when the eye grows progressively longer and the image from the lens does not focus directly on the retina in the back of the eye to allow for clear vision. Patients with myopia can see items at a near distance fine, but objects further away are fuzzy or blurry.
The number of myopic patients has increased from about 25 percent of the population in the early 1970s to more than 40 percent just 35 years later. It is estimated that more than half of the world’s population will have the problem by the year 2050. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) labels myopia as an epidemic in the United States.
Myopia tends to progressively worsen through the childhood and teenage years, which is why annual eye exams are so important. As myopia progresses, the risk of ocular complications such as glaucoma, cataract, and retinal detachment also increase. These complications can result in vision loss, so it is very important to limit the progression of myopia as much as possible.
Cary has one of the few clinics in America dedicated to treating myopia from the earliest stages. Treatments range from the more common glasses or contact lenses to more specialized treatments for younger patients to help keep the myopia from worsening. Today, there are several options available that can effectively slow or stop the progression of myopia, resulting in lower prescriptions and healthier eyes.
The Myopia Control Clinic is run by Dr. Dwight Barnes, who specializes in myopia control and is one of fewer than 150 doctors in the world with the highest certification in the myopia control specialty, as a Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control. This means that the Triangle has one of the world's premier authorities on this condition in its own backyard.
If you are diagnosed with myopia, or if you need an exam to find out, make an appointment with Cary Family Eye Care at (919) 465-7400, or visit the website at www.caryfamilyeyecare.com.
