Myopia Treatment &
Management for Children
We help children and adults see clearly by diagnosing and treating vision problems like Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism, and Lazy Eye.
What is Myopia?
Myopia is the medical term for nearsightedness, one of the most common eye conditions. People with myopia can see close objects clearly, but objects farther away look blurred. Myopia
occurs when either the eye is longer than normal from front to back or the cornea at the front of the eye is steeply curved.
In recent years, the incidence of myopia has been increasing among children. Currently, one in four parents have a child with myopia, and 75 percent of those children are diagnosed with myopia between the ages of 3 and 12. Overall, 50 percent of all people worldwide have some degree of myopia.
In children, myopia treatment historically consisted of correcting the existing myopia with glasses and contact lenses. However regular eye glasses and contact lenses do not stop the growth of
the eye and do not stop the myopia increase. Now treatments are available to Slow the progression of myopia and prevent it from getting worse over time. Cutting-edge treatments include myopia
control spectacles, Iow-dose atropine eye drops, and special contact lens fits, including one-day disposable contact lenses.
What Causes Myopia?
At this time, eye health experts aren’t exactly sure why rates of pediatric myopia are
rising, but they do have some theories. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes
that kids spending more time indoors and doing close-up tasks like playing video
games, using tablets and phones or working on computers might be playing a role
in the rise.
How is Myopia Diagnosed?
Parents often mistakenly think vision screenings at school or the pediatrician’s office are adequate enough to diagnose vision problems. Routine school screenings provide less than 4% of the eye tests needed to help children see, and they miss up to 75% of children with vision problems.
The best way to detect myopia and any other vision issues is through regular in—person, comprehensive eye exams, Children with siblings or other family members Who have myopia should see an eye doctor early in life, age 13 to 18 months, to detect myopia before it progresses.
Types of Refractive Errors We Treat
Glasses
- Glasses are still the standard treatment for most cases Of myopia in children. your child'S eye doctor will provide a prescription to help them see things that are far away more clearly. Your child may need to wear them all the time or occasionally depending on the severity of their myopia. The eye doctor can help fulfill any specific needs for your child when it comes to eyeglass fit, sports goggles for activities, or other individual needs.
Contact Lenses
- Contact lenses can be an effective option for vision correction in children with myopia. A doctor examines the eyes to ensure they are properly aligned and assess for any muscle dysfunction before prescribing contact lenses.
Treatment To Manage Myopia
Eyeglasses, contact lenses and surgery can correct your vision and ease your discomfort. An eye care provider will help you decide what's best for your needs.
Eye Drops
- Low-dose atropine eye drops can be given to children. When taken each night around bedtime they appear to slow the progression of myopia by preventing the eye from lengthening.
Myopia Control Spectacles
- Specially designed eyeglasses that provide clear central vision while incorporating peripheral defocus technology to slow myopia progression in children.
Lifestyle Factors
- According to experts, having your child limit their screen time and spend more time playing outside can also help reduce the risk of myopia or slow its progression.
Orthokeratology
- Also known as Ortho-K, this treatment involves your child wearing a different type of specialty contact lens while they sleep each night. The Ortho-K lenses flatten the cornea during sleep, which helps improve your child's distance vision and slows the progression of myopia over time.
Comprehensive Treatment Options Available
- It is reassuring to know that with all these treatment options, we have a treatment choice that will be successful for each child. Our cutting-edge treatments include myopia control spectacles, Iow- dose atropine eye drops, and special contact lens fits, including one-day disposable contact lenses.
Myopia Management Contact Lenses
- These specialty contact lenses look and feel like other contact lenses. Your child wears contact lenses each day and throws the contact lens out each night. These contact lenses have been proven safe for children to wear. These lenses provide clear vision with the added benefit of slowing myopia progression. MOSt myopia management contact lenses work via peripheral defocus. This means the contact lens focuses distance vision, while intentionally defocusing, or blurring, peripheral (side) vision.
One-Day Disposable Contact Lenses for Children
Modern myopia management contact lenses, including one-day
disposable contact lenses, are specifically designed for children's eyes and have been proven safe and effective in clinical studies.
One-day disposable contact lenses offer the ultimate in convenience and hygiene, as fresh lenses are used daily, reducing the risk of infection and providing optimal comfort for children.
- One-day disposable for maximum hygiene and convenience
- FDA-approved for pediatric use
- Slows myopia progression by up to 59%
- Fresh lenses daily reduce infection risk
