Myopia is a very common issue throughout the world. Approximately 1/3 of the population in the United States have the condition and over 90% of several East Asian countries suffer from myopia. While myopia may seem like such a common condition that it shouldn’t be cause for concern, it is actually associated with several very serious conditions that can threaten one’s ability to see.
Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is a condition where individuals are able to see objects that are close to them but may have difficulty distinguishing things at a distance, such as road signs or leaves on a tree. These individuals often squint at objects that are further away to try and help bring them into focus.
Currently, there is no known cure for myopia and recent studies suggest that the more advanced your myopia gets, the more serious the effects can be on your vision. 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 and slowing down myopia progression during these years has a huge payoff.
There are a few different treatments for myopia that have proven to be effective in a number of studies. Of course, to ensure you find the most effective choice for your child, be sure to visit your eye doctor so we can review their case and recommend the best options and treatment plan.
Ortho-K | Ortho-K (Orthokeratology) or CRT (Corneal Refractive Therapy) 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 onto the eyes just before you go to bed. This hard lens helps to gently reshape your eye throughout the night. 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 | Atropine eye drops are specifically designed to dilate the pupil. For myopia management, the concentration of Atropine in the eye drops is reduced greatly so that it doesn’t have the same dilation effect yet helps with slowing down the progression of nearsightedness. This treatment has been shown to be especially effective in slowing the progression of myopia in children when started at an early age.
Multifocal / Dual Focus Contact Lenses | These specialty contact lenses are designed to help provide clear vision during the day and taken out at night. These contact lenses use specific technology to help slow down the progression of myopia and have shown great success over a three-year period when compared with individuals who wore a standard prescription lens.
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 serious eye conditions later in life 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.