Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a condition in which the eye has more focusing power than it needs for its length. As a result, distant objects appear blurry while near objects remain clear.
Myopia most commonly develops during childhood and the teenage years. Once it begins, it often continues to progress as a child grows. In general, the earlier myopia develops, the greater the likelihood that it will progress to higher levels over time. So why does myopia occur?
In most cases, the eye actually grows too long from front to back. When this happens, light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Because the retina receives an out-of-focus image, distant vision becomes blurry.
The good news is that myopia can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, and other vision correction options. Even more exciting is what researchers have learned over the past decade about managing myopia progression.
Until relatively recently, eye care professionals had limited options for slowing the progression of myopia. Today, we understand that myopia is a modifiable condition. Through specialized treatment strategies, we can often slow the rate of eye growth and reduce the amount of nearsightedness that a child ultimately develops.
This is important because higher levels of myopia are associated with an increased risk of several eye conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration, and other vision-threatening disorders. By slowing myopia progression, we may help reduce the likelihood of developing these complications in the future.
For parents, this means that myopia management is about much more than simply helping a child see clearly today. It is about protecting the long-term health of their eyes and potentially reducing their risk of serious eye disease later in life. There are several proven strategies available to help slow myopia progression and reduce the amount of nearsightedness a child may ultimately experience.
In our next blog, we’ll discuss some of the most effective treatment options available today, including orthokeratology (overnight contact lenses), soft multifocal contact lenses, low-dose atropine therapy, and lifestyle modifications such as increased outdoor time.
If you have concerns about your child’s vision, have noticed frequent prescription changes, or would like to learn more about myopia management, contact our office to schedule an evaluation. Our team can help determine whether your child may benefit from one of today’s evidence-based myopia control strategies and develop a personalized plan to help protect their vision for years to come.