Myopia Management

Slow the progression of your child’s nearsightedness.

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common eye condition that affects millions of people around the world. This happens when the eye grows too long making things far away like road signs or whiteboards fuzzy, while phones or books up close appear clear. Myopia in kids tends to progress or get worse throughout childhood, and higher levels of myopia are associated with higher eye disease risks in adulthood such as retinal detachments, vision loss, glaucoma, and more.

While standard glasses and contact lenses can help correct vision for those with myopia, they do not address the underlying cause of the condition. Fortunately, there are now several myopia management treatments available that can help slow down the progression of myopia in children and young adults.

Orthokeratology

A promising, new form of myopia management treatment is orthokeratology, also known as ortho-k or corneal reshaping therapy. This treatment involves wearing custom rigid contact lenses overnight, which gently reshape the cornea and correct the myopia. Patients using ortho-k are then able to go about their busy days without the need for daytime contact lenses or glasses! Ortho-k has been shown to be highly effective at slowing down the progression of myopia, and can be customized to each individual. The treatment is safe, painless, and has no long-term side effects.

Atropine

Another myopia management treatment option is atropine eye drops. Atropine is a medication that relaxes the eye muscles, which can help slow down the progression of myopia. Studies have shown that atropine eye drops can be very effective at reducing myopia progression and this therapy doesn’t require much change to one’s daily schedule.

Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses and eyeglasses also offer specialized designs to slow the growth of developing eyes, though glasses options are not readily available in the US at this time. These lenses have different prescription strengths in different areas of the lens, allowing for clear vision at multiple distances and can be very effective at slowing down the progression of myopia in children and young adults. This option is a great way to stay in soft contact lenses and can be a great treatment option for many people.

Lifestyle Changes

Lastly, behavioral changes such as spending more time outdoors and reducing screen time can also be healthy behavior changes for growing eyes. Studies have shown that spending more time outdoors can help reduce the risk of myopia development and progression. Additionally, limiting screen time and taking frequent breaks can also help reduce eye strain, but these options may be limited in how effective they can be without the addition of another form of myopia management.

The myopia epidemic is a growing concern in the world of eyecare and there are several treatment options available to help slow its development. Each person and child is unique, and deciding which option above is the best fit requires a thorough conversation with a skilled eyecare provider, and our team would be happy to discuss this with you. With proper management, myopia can be effectively controlled, leading to better vision and long term eye health.

If you’d like to learn more about myopia management, Book an appointment at ViewPointe Vision today.