Has your child been diagnosed with myopia? What does this mean for their future and what can you do to help? It's time to learn important facts about myopia, its progression, and the newest treatments.
What is Myopia?
Myopia, aka nearsightedness, is a common vision problem causing blurry distance vision that usually starts in childhood. For clear distance vision, light focuses on the retina at the back of the eye. The retina is a light-sensitive lining in your eye. In a myopia eye, the eyeball grows too long. This means light focuses in front of the retina, making distance vision blurry.
What causes Myopia?
Family history, lifestyle, or a combination of both. When both parents are myopic, there is nearly 1 in 2 chance your child will be myopic. When one parent is myopic, there is nearly 1 in 3 chance your child will be myopic. When neither parent is myopic, there is still nearly a 1 in 4 chance your child will be myopic. Today's lifestyles may also have an impact on the chances of your child developing myopia. These factors include less time spent outdoors; reading, working, and gaming on close-up digital devices; and poor lighting.
Signs of Myopia
-distance vision becoming blurry
-moving closer to the TV
-underperforming at school
-headaches
-tired eyes
-squinting eyes
-often, there are no symptoms at all
How can Myopia affect my child?
As your child grows, their eyes continue to grow meaning their myopia will likely get worse. This can have a significant impact on their everyday life and possibly lead to future eye health problems. This is because the retina stretches as the eyeball grows longer, and may become vulnerable to disease later in life. Problems may include retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy.
Vision Correction Options
Regular glasses and contact lenses will help your child see clearly, but do not slow down the progression of myopia. Your child may need a stronger prescription as they continue to grow, meaning frequent glasses updates and thicker lenses.
Are there any other options that will slow down the speed at which myopia develops?
Yes! This includes MiSight 1 day contact lenses, which are the first and only contact lens FDA approved to slow the progression of myopia in children age 8-12 at initiation of treatment. Another option is low dose atropine drops instilled in the eyes at bedtime. Ask about myopia management at your child's next eye appointment.
What is Myopia?
Myopia, aka nearsightedness, is a common vision problem causing blurry distance vision that usually starts in childhood. For clear distance vision, light focuses on the retina at the back of the eye. The retina is a light-sensitive lining in your eye. In a myopia eye, the eyeball grows too long. This means light focuses in front of the retina, making distance vision blurry.
What causes Myopia?
Family history, lifestyle, or a combination of both. When both parents are myopic, there is nearly 1 in 2 chance your child will be myopic. When one parent is myopic, there is nearly 1 in 3 chance your child will be myopic. When neither parent is myopic, there is still nearly a 1 in 4 chance your child will be myopic. Today's lifestyles may also have an impact on the chances of your child developing myopia. These factors include less time spent outdoors; reading, working, and gaming on close-up digital devices; and poor lighting.
Signs of Myopia
-distance vision becoming blurry
-moving closer to the TV
-underperforming at school
-headaches
-tired eyes
-squinting eyes
-often, there are no symptoms at all
How can Myopia affect my child?
As your child grows, their eyes continue to grow meaning their myopia will likely get worse. This can have a significant impact on their everyday life and possibly lead to future eye health problems. This is because the retina stretches as the eyeball grows longer, and may become vulnerable to disease later in life. Problems may include retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy.
Vision Correction Options
Regular glasses and contact lenses will help your child see clearly, but do not slow down the progression of myopia. Your child may need a stronger prescription as they continue to grow, meaning frequent glasses updates and thicker lenses.
Are there any other options that will slow down the speed at which myopia develops?
Yes! This includes MiSight 1 day contact lenses, which are the first and only contact lens FDA approved to slow the progression of myopia in children age 8-12 at initiation of treatment. Another option is low dose atropine drops instilled in the eyes at bedtime. Ask about myopia management at your child's next eye appointment.
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