Table of Contents
Introduction
Currently, the number of children with myopia has skyrocketed and is more prevalent than ever. Although some cases of childhood myopia are caused by genetic factors, other factors such as the increased use of digital devices and less time spent outdoors are major contributors. If myopia is not diagnosed and treated early, it will progress and lead to other major vision impairments.
Here at Golden Vision Optometry, our emphasis is on the benefits to young children of regular early childhood vision exams to maintain their healthy eyes. To prevent myopia from progressing, we offer several treatment plans such as orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses, atropine eye drops as well as MiSight specialty contact lenses.
What Exactly Is Myopia?
Myopia is the technical term that is used to describe people who are near-sighted. Nearsighted people can see nearby objects quite clearly, but when they look at objects that are further away, those objects start becoming blurry. Normally, light rays focus directly on the retina, but with myopia, light rays focus on the front of the retina. It happens because either the shape of the eyeball is lengthened or because the cornea of the eye is exceptionally curved.
To learn more about myopia, such as why it happens, and learn more about its symptoms, please refer to the National Eye Institute’s comprehensive guide on Nearsightedness (Myopia).
Why Are More Children Developing Myopia Today?
The alarming rise of childhood myopia has been associated with the fact that children are spending less time outdoors and more time indoors using their digital devices. Looking closely at their smartphones and computers, as well as reading, are all factors that contribute to eye strain, which can then lead to the development of myopia.
The situation had been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic because during the lockdowns, children were spending a greater amount of time indoors under artificial light, while using their digital devices both for education and fun. To promote children’s healthy vision, it is imperative that the amount of indoor screen time and outdoor natural light time be balanced. Results of studies on this subject have shown that outdoor time in natural light appears to be very protective against the progression of childhood myopia.
How Can You Tell If a Child Has Myopia?
What Are the Risks of Untreated Myopia in Children?
If left untreated, serious eye health conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment can occur. Untreated myopia can progress to what is termed high myopia. A person is deemed to be suffering from high myopia when the condition progresses to a level of greater than -5.00 to -6.00 diopters. At this point, there is a very high risk of the occurrence of those more serious vision conditions. Retinal detachment is the condition in which the retina of the eye pulls away from its normal position. If this condition does not get immediate treatment, it will lead to permanent vision loss. Glaucoma is the condition where there is damage to the optic nerve caused by untreated pressure on it.
Unfortunately, this condition can also lead to permanent vision loss. Cataracts are noticed when the lens becomes clouded. This condition presents earlier in people with high myopia that has not been previously treated but can be treated by surgery.
In addition to these risks to one’s health, myopia that has not been treated can have serious effects on a child’s everyday life. It can harm their relationships, their ability to fulfill their athletic activities, their academic record, and, in general, it affects their self-esteem. We have interventions and treatment plans that have an excellent record of keeping your child’s myopia from progressing.
How Is Myopia Managed or Treated in Children?
We treat and manage childhood myopia by first correcting issues with your child’s vision and using a comprehensive treatment plan that will slow its progression. Although some of the traditional ways of treating blurry vision had been by prescribing glasses, which do address the problem of blurry vision, they do nothing to slow the actual progression of myopia. For that reason, we implement other interventions to slow it down, such as Orthokeratology and low-dose atropine eye drops.
Ortho-K lenses are lenses that are worn overnight to help treat myopia. They temporarily reshape the cornea as the cornea re-shaping is not permanent. We can also prescribe soft multifocal contact lenses, which have been shown to reduce eye strain. Another option, depending on a particular patient’s condition, is to prescribe low-dose atropine eye drops. These drops relax the muscles of the eye, which allows it to focus. Each one of these treatments has been quite successful in slowing the progress of myopia by about 40% to 60% for one to three years.
There are several factors to consider when deciding upon the best treatment plan for your child. The parents, together with our team, will come up with the very best plan for your child that takes the child’s situation into account.
Can Myopia Be Prevented or Slowed Down?
How Can Golden Vision Help You Treat Myopia?
FAQs
Although myopia is a condition that cannot be cured, its progress can be slowed quite a bit with the appropriate treatment plan. Using orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses, specially designed contact lenses as well as low-dose atropine eye drops the progression of your child’s near-sightedness can be slowed down. This treatment plan cannot reverse or cure myopia, but it can contribute to the lessening of complications and the preservation of your child’s future vision health.
