Vision Un-20/20: A Medical History
I have been myopic since I was in fourth grade. I didnt know there was anything wrong with me. I just couldnt see the writings on the blackboard and had to go in front just to copy the notes. My teacher informed my mom about it and I ended up becoming four-eyed, with these huge pair of pink-framed eyeglasses. One eye was about -3.00 diopters (or grade 300) and the other was -4.00 diopters (400). During that time I was just relieved that I got eyeglasses. I was neither concerned about what other people say nor aware of the other health risks involved when your eyeballs are becoming more elongated.
At age sixteen, I felt blessed when I had my first pair of contact lenses. Many people had told me that my best feature are my big, brown eyes. There are many Filipinos with brown eyes, but mine are a lighter shade though not as light as my mother’s hazel ones. So, of course, I did not go for the colored pairs. People are already unsure about my natural color, why feed their suspicions? Though green colored ones are very tempting…
Now, at almost 26, both of my eyes are at -6.00 diopters(600!). A person is considered midly myopic at -3.00 or less. Medium myopia is > -3.00 to -6.00. I just barely maintained medium myopia. High myopia is more than -6.00. I have heard of people with -2400 diopters!!! That is almost being blind. In fact, contact lenses are available only up to -11.00 diopters. Obviously, I have been researching on myopia. Now, I am worried about macular degeneration and detachment of the retina…things that could happen when you are extremely myopic. This means blindness, folks. I am so worried that I also researched on natural ways to improve eyesight (LASIK surgery corrects the refraction and enables the patient to see clearly but does not correct the elongated eyeballs). There are some eye exercises that a person can do plus vitamins that one should take (A, C, E and lutein)…So, veggies are your best bet.=)
anyway, I could update you if the theories are right. Computers are one of the causes of myopic progression…ahh too bad. I am supposed to be an animator(take note, DIA pipz).
