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Myopia Specialist

Smart Eye Care

Ophthalmologists located in Brooklyn, NY

When you have myopia, or nearsightedness, you have crisp near vision, but are challenged in seeing images farther away. At Smart Eye Care, the team of expert ophthalmologists -- Dr. Edward Rubinchik, Dr. Evelyn Icasiano, Dr. Leon Aleksandrovich, and Dr. William Kestin -- diagnose myopia and offer corrective treatments so that you can see both near and far clearly. If you live in the area of Brooklyn in New York City, call the office or use the online booking tool to make an appointment.

Myopia Q & A

What causes myopia?

Myopia is typically caused by the eye being too long from front to back. Myopia may also result from an overly-curved cornea or a thick lens. Genetics and environmental factors, such as doing a lot of near-work, contribute to the development of myopia. It affects approximately 30% of the population in the United States.

Some people who do a lot of near-vision work may experience symptoms of myopia without actually having the condition. When you overuse the focusing mechanism of your eyes for a long period, your far vision may seem compromised. If this habit is continued, it can lead to permanent changes in your vision over time.

What are the symptoms of myopia?

You may suspect you have myopia if you can see items clearly when held nearby but struggle with long-distance vision. In some people, myopia is most apparent at night, when low light makes it difficult for the eyes to focus properly. This can lead to problems with night driving, for example.

How is myopia diagnosed?

Usually, you’ll struggle with seeing objects that are far away. You may also experience headaches and eyestrain if your myopia is mild but uncorrected. The doctors at Smart Eye Care diagnose myopia during a thorough eye exam, which includes testing your vision and examining your eyes in detail.

Part of the exam includes reading letters on a distance chart to measure your visual acuity. The doctors also test the ability of your eyes to focus light. The results of the test also help your ophthalmologist know the power of the lenses needed to correct your myopia.

How is myopia corrected?

Corrective lenses, in the form of glasses or contacts, improve your vision by re-focusing light onto the retina. If your myopia is mild, you may need glasses only for certain activities, such as watching a movie or driving. Severe cases may require constant correction.

If you have myopia, you may also be a candidate for LASIK surgery, during which the surgeon removes the inner layer of the cornea to reshape it. LASIK can offer a permanent solution to myopia.