Myopia Management

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurry. Approximately 1/3 of the population in the United States have the condition. While glasses and contact lenses can correct myopia, there are also several treatment options available for managing and slowing down
the progression for myopia in children.
 

What is Myopia

Myopia is becoming much more common in children at younger ages than ever before. Undiagnosed myopia can lead to difficulties in school as well as extracurricular activities. However, the most concerning problem is the increased
risk of eye diseases associated with myopia throughout a person’s life.

Glasses only compensate for your child’s blurry vision, they do not stop their vision from continuing to worsen. Recent studies suggest that the more advanced your myopia gets, the more serious the effects can be on your vision such as developing glaucoma and other serious retinal diseases. This has led eye professionals to look for ways to slow the progression of myopia in children and young adults as the eyes typically change more rapidly during this time.  Early intervention is key to slowing down progression of myopia.
 

Types of Myopia Control

There are a few different treatments for myopia that have proven to be effective in a number of studies for children: Overnight Contact lenses (Orthokeratology), Daytime custom soft contact lenses, prescription eye drops, and behavioral changes. All options have great results backed by peer-reviewed clinical studies. We will determine which treatment is best for your child at our in-office consultation.

Ortho-K | Ortho-K or Orthokeratology is one practice being used to slow down the progression of myopia. Ortho-K utilizes a special rigid gas-permeable contact lens that is placed into the eyes just before you go to bed. This hard lens helps to gently hold your eye in the proper shape throughout the night. Then when you wake up in the morning and remove the lenses, your eye continues to maintain that shape. This means that people who are nearsighted can see clearly throughout the day, even without wearing contact lenses or glasses. This approach is often preferred for athletes or other active individuals.

Atropine Eye Drops | One of the thoughts about the progression of myopia, is that it is associated with eye strain. The additional stresses that are placed on the eye when straining push the eye further out of its proper shape. Atropine eye drops are specifically designed to help stop the eye from straining and help the muscles relax. Atropine is similar to the eye drops that are used when you get your eyes dilated but lasts throughout the entire day rather than just a few hours. Atropine dilates the pupil of the eye and prevents them from closing too tightly and limiting your vision. This treatment has been shown to be especially effective in slowing the progression of myopia in children.
 
Multifocal Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses | These specialty contact lenses are designed to help reduce strain on the eyes. They have shown great success at slowing the progression of myopia over a three-year period when compared with individuals who wore a standard prescription lens.

Behavioral Changes | Spending more time outdoors and less time on close-up activities like reading and using electronic devices has been shown to reduce the rate of myopia progression in children.
 

Overview

If you notice that your child is having a difficult time seeing objects that are far away, contact us today to schedule an appointment. Many parents notice changes in their children with their behavior or grades at school, their ability to play sports, or that they may even be pulling back from playing with friends. Treating myopia as quickly as possible can help to reduce your child’s chances of developing a serious eye condition that can threaten their ability to see the world around them. Call today and schedule an appointment to see how we can help your child.