Myopia Management

What Is Myopia?

Let’s chat about myopia, a common vision condition often referred to as nearsightedness. Imagine your child having clear vision up close but struggling a bit when it comes to seeing things at a distance. That’s myopia! It happens when the eyeball is a tad too long or the cornea is overly curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. The result? Blurry distance vision. No need to fret though—myopia is incredibly common, and we’ve got some fantastic solutions to make sure your kiddo sees the world with clarity and comfort.

Young children at school

Causes of Myopia

While there is a genetic component – if you or your partner are nearsighted, your child may be more susceptible – environmental factors also play a crucial role. Prolonged engagement in activities that require intense focus, such as extended screen time or reading, especially during the developmental years, can contribute to myopia.

Encouraging outdoor activities and ample exposure to natural light has been shown to have a protective effect. As we navigate the modern world, striking a balance between technology use and outdoor playtime becomes vital in maintaining your child’s visual well-being.

Risks Associated With Myopia

High myopia poses an increased risk of eye complications later in life, including cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment. The more severe the myopia, the higher the likelihood of these complications. This is why it’s important to catch it in the early stages.

Additionally, myopia progression during childhood can impact your child’s academic performance and overall quality of life. However, the good news is that proactive measures can help manage and mitigate these risks.

Young girl hugging parent

Group of children

Early Detection Is Key

It’s essential to keep a close eye on your child’s eye health. Regular comprehensive eye exams can help detect and manage myopia early on. If you notice your child squinting, holding books too close, or struggling to see the board at school, it’s a good time for a quick visit to our eye care professionals. We’re here to ensure your child’s eyes are in tip-top shape and ready for all the adventures that come their way!

Myopia Management Options


While myopia cannot be reversed, our goal is to keep it from getting worse, and we’ve got fantastic treatments to do just that. Our eye care professionals are here to guide you through the process, ensuring the best possible care for your child’s eye health. The following are treatment options that we may discuss with you based on your child’s unique needs.

Young boy getting eye exam

Treatments

A low dosage of atropine drops is placed in both eyes just before bedtime, to slow down the progression of myopia. These drops help to control the elongation of the eyeball that contributes to nearsightedness. This treatment is typically used for children between 5 and 18 years of age and is well-tolerated.

These lenses are special soft contact lenses that have different powers within the same lens. The center of the lens corrects blurry distance vision, while the outer portions of the lens defocus the peripheral (side) vision. This is thought to slow eye growth and limit myopia. MiSight contacts are worn during the day and are removed for sleeping.

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Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) and Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) are safe, non-surgical and reversible treatments that use specially designed contact lenses to gently reshape the surface of your eye during sleep. This results in clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts. The effect is temporary, so lenses must be worn during sleep each night.

Your eye doctor will determine which type of corneal reshaping lenses are best for you after examining your eyes. Both treatments are ideal vision correction methods for active children, especially those involved in sports, or children who are genetically prone to having their nearsightedness progress year after year. They are also well suited to many adults whose careers or hobbies are not conducive to wearing glasses or contact lenses.

Schedule an Appointment Today to Learn How Myopia Management Can Help Your Child!
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