Myopia, or short-sightedness, affects more and more children every day. If your child struggles to see things far away, myopia could be the reason. Luckily, there are ways to manage and slow its progression.
What is Myopia?
Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long, causing distant objects to appear blurry. It typically starts in childhood and can worsen as children grow. Early intervention helps slow this progression, protecting long-term vision.
Who is at Risk?
Children are more likely to develop myopia if one or both parents are short-sighted. Excessive screen time or close-up activities can also increase the chance of developing it, but balancing screen time and outdoor activities can help reduce the risk.
Symptoms of Myopia
Watch for these signs of myopia in your child:
- squinting to see far away
- sitting close to the TV or holding books close
- complaining of headaches or eye strain
- trouble seeing the board at school.
If these symptoms appear, an eye exam is recommended
Diagnosis and Treatment
Our optometrist can confirm myopia with a simple eye exam. Treatments focus on correcting vision and slowing the progression of the condition. Glasses are the most common solution for vision correction, but there is also the option of myopia management lenses in glasses or contact lenses. These are designed to slow the progression of myopia, protecting your child from the complications that are associated with high myopia in later life.
Myopia Management Contact Lenses
Misight and Mylo are soft contact lenses specifically for children with myopia. Worn during the day, they slow the progression of myopia while providing clear vision. Misight lenses are FDA-approved and have been shown to reduce progression by about 59%. Mylo lenses also offer excellent results, giving children freedom from glasses. We find that children get used to wearing contacts quickly and enjoy freedom when playing and being active.
Specialist Glasses Lenses for Myopia
For children who prefer glasses, MiyoSmart and MyoFix lenses are great options. These advanced lenses correct vision and use special technology to slow myopia. MiyoSmart lenses use DIMS (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) technology, while MyoFix offers a similar solution in stylish, comfortable glasses. We have a great selection of frames designed to work perfectly with myopia control lenses.
Book Your Child’s Appointment
Early myopia management is crucial. We encourage you to contact us to book an appointment and discuss the options. For more information, visit our Myopia Control blog.
