NEWPORT BEACH, CA--(Marketwire - March 29, 2010) - A recent study conducted by the National Eye Institute shows that the rate of nearsightedness, or myopia, in Americans has increased from 25 percent in the 1970s to a staggering 41 percent this year. So, why are so many more Americans nearsighted today than 30 years ago?
Dr. Thomas S. Tooma, the Medical Director for TLC Laser Eye Centers in Southern California and renowned eye surgeon who has performed more than 100,000 vision correction procedures, offers a few answers:
- Blame it on the World Wide Web -- Our propensity for searching on the Internet and texting on our BlackBerrys has us using our eyes to see near objects quite a bit more.
- It could be your parent's fault -- Genetics typically are a factor, so if your parents and grandparents were nearsighted, you probably are as well.
- Too much indoor activity -- It is important to be outside to stimulate your far vision.
According to Susan Vitale with the National Eye Institute and the study's author, "While myopia is pretty easily treated, when a lot of people have it -- 40 or 50 million -- it ends up costing the U.S. about $2 to $3 billion annually."
So, how do you identify and treat myopia? Dr. Tooma has these suggestions:
- Get an annual eye exam and get treatment if necessary.
- Blurred vision, caused by myopia, can be treated by corrective lenses (eyeglasses or contact lenses) or refractive surgery such as LASIK.
"Ninety percent of our patients are nearsighted with some astigmatism, and most of them are candidates for some type of refractive surgery such as LASIK, PRK, ICL/Phakic IOL or refractive lense exchange, to name a few," says Dr. Tooma. "Our qualified eye surgeons at our 10 centers throughout Southern California will know the best option for you."
With over 1,300 eye doctors who refer their patients to and trust their own eyes to TLC Affiliate surgeons for laser vision correction and cataract surgery, TLC Laser Eye Centers is the Eye Doctors' #1 Choice, serving the counties of San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Ventura and San Bernardino.
To find out more about TLC Laser Eye Centers, call 1-888-CALL-TLC, or visit us online at www.TLCVision.com.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Jennifer Heinly, J&J Consulting
949-716-9829 (w)
949-838-7335 (cell)