Myopia is a common vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while nearby objects remain clear. It occurs when the eye grows longer than normal, causing light to focus incorrectly on the retina.
Children with myopia may have difficulty seeing the board at school, recognizing faces from a distance, or participating in activities that require clear distance vision. While glasses can correct blurry vision, they do not address the underlying progression of myopia.
Myopia often develops during childhood and may continue to worsen throughout the teenage years as the eyes continue to grow.
A child with increasing nearsightedness may require stronger prescriptions over time. Higher levels of myopia are associated with an increased risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life, including:
Every child is different, and there is no single approach that works for everyone.
Successful myopia management requires ongoing monitoring and collaboration. At Valley Ranch Eye Care, we believe education is an important part of the process. We take the time to explain your child’s condition, discuss treatment options, and answer your questions so you can make informed decisions.
Regular follow-up visits allow us to monitor your child’s progress and make adjustments when needed to provide the best possible care.
Depending on your child’s needs, treatment options may include:
Certain multifocal soft contact lenses are designed to provide clear vision while also helping slow myopia progression in children who are appropriate candidates.
Orthokeratology, often called Ortho-K, uses specially designed contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea. Many children can enjoy clear vision during the day without wearing glasses or traditional contact lenses.
Low-dose atropine has been studied extensively for its ability to slow myopia progression in children. We will discuss whether this option may be appropriate based on your child’s specific situation.
FDA market approved ophthalmic lenses that have shown in studies to slow down myopia by 71%. Children must wear the glasses up to 10 hours a day for 6 days a week. This is one of the easier ways to slow things down since most likely the child is already in glasses and there should not be much adaptation time.
If your child’s prescription is increasing or you are concerned about their risk of developing myopia, early evaluation is the first step.
Schedule a myopia management consultation at Valley Ranch Eye Care today and learn how we can help protect your child’s vision for years to come.
