Myopia, better known as nearsightedness, is a common vision condition that affects eyesight. This occurs when the eye is improperly shaped, causing far-away objects to look blurry. Myopia control is a term used to describe particular treatments used to slow down the progression of nearsightedness in children. Untreated myopia can lead to eye problems later in life like cataracts, retinal detachment, and glaucoma. Our team at Lickteig Family Eyecare in Boston, Dedham, Medford, and Natick can help patients treat this condition.
What to Know About Myopia
Myopia often runs in families. If one of your parents is nearsighted, you have a 50 percent chance of having it as well. Recent studies have shown that people who do not spend enough time outdoors have a higher chance of developing myopia. The most common symptom of myopia is blurry vision when looking at objects in the distance. Other symptoms are frequent headaches caused by eyestrain, difficulty seeing when driving, or excessive blinking. If your child is diagnosed with myopia, there are several ways we can help at our clinic.
Eye Drops
Atropine is an eye drop that dilates the pupil to relax the eyes’ focusing mechanism. You can expect to gain short-term results but with some drawbacks. Effects can take at least a week to wear off. Some issues that can come with atropine are blurred near vision and light sensitivity.
Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology uses gas permeable contact lenses that are worn while sleeping to correct nearsightedness temporarily. They also correct other vision issues, so there is less need for glasses and contact lenses when awake. Children who use ortho-k for at least a few years will more than likely end up with less myopia as they transition into adulthood.
Multifocal Contact Lenses
Multifocal contact lenses are prescribed to correct nearsightedness and are useful for myopia control. These lenses are created to enable clear vision, no matter what the distance. This is beneficial for people who suffer from refractive errors. They are known to slow down myopia’s progression in kids if worn daily. They can count on a 50 percent reduction in myopia control progression.
Multifocal Eyeglasses
Multifocal eyeglasses are similar to multifocal contact lenses. They enable people to have a clearer vision at all distances. These eyeglasses are also useful in slowing down the progression of nearsightedness in kids. They have a milder slowing effect in children, but wearing them can slow down the progression by at least 51 percent.
Contact Us for Pediatric Eye Care in Boston, Dedham, Medford, and Natick, MA
If your child is having trouble seeing objects in the distance, schedule an appointment with our team at Lickteig Family Eyecare. We will test your child’s vision and prescribe the best treatment option for them. Contact us today to see how we can help your child with myopia control.