My optometrist said...?

Question

that my nearsightedness is caused by that my eye shape changed too quickly. changed from a basketball to a football shape. she said it is supposed to change when you are 40, but i am only 14. i forgot to ask her, does this mean it will keep getting worse and worse? because my perscription changed from -0.75 to -3.75 in one year. will it keep getting worse?

Answer 1

i think what he means is you have an astigmatism (the football shape)...causes you not to see clearly. the nearsightedness is caused by the light not reflecting on the back of the eye correctly. doesnt only happen when ur 40. I have the same problem. if ur prescription changed that much...it is progressing very fast. nearsightedness tends to slow down and fix itself as you get older. it wont completely resolve, but you will probably start to become farsighted as well...you will need bifocals

Answer 2

i agree with balibot

Answer 3

Nearsightedness is caused by the entire eye growing too long, the cornea growing too round, or a combination of the two.  If the eye is too long, the focused image falls short of the back of the eye making it appear blurry.  The same thing happens if the cornea is too round.  Generally, nearsightedness worsens through the teen years and levels out in the twenties.

Answer 4

Between now and about age 20 or so, your vision can get stronger (more nearsighted) from exam to exam, which is why it's important for you to go every year or as the doctor recommends. Some children your age can have their vision change as quickly as 6 months.

You are about the age appropriate for contacts. Discuss that with your parents and at your next exam ask the doctor if you are a good candidate for them. That will depend on the amount of astigmatism you actually have,  many people with astigmatism wear contacts very comfortably. I'm sure you have noticed how much thicker the edge of the lens has become since this change in glasses. So contacts will be more cosmetically appealing for you.

Age 40 is the approximate time most people lose accommodation, and have difficulty reading. At this point you will still be able to read with your glasses. Young people are able to accommodate just fine for near while wearing glasses.