- What is myopia?
- Why does my child have myopia?
- What causes myopia to worsen
- Myopia treatment options
As a parent, you know that ensuring your child’s health and well-being is a top priority. When it comes to their vision, you want the best care possible. Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common condition that can disrupt your child’s ability to see clearly. Fortunately, Eye Society specializes in myopia treatment and has several options for you to choose from.
Myopia results from an elongated eyeball or a cornea that’s too steep, causing distant images to blur. The prevalence of myopia is skyrocketing, but the good news is, treatment options have advanced too.
At Eye Society in Chicago, we understand the concerns you have for your child’s vision, and we share your commitment to improving it.
We specialize in treating myopia in children, particularly using orthokeratology, an advanced, non-surgical approach to correct vision while you sleep. It’s our mission to ensure that myopia doesn’t stand in the way of your child’s bright future.
What is Myopia?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a vision condition that hinders a person’s ability to clearly see objects that are far away. The root of this issue lies in the structure of the eye itself.
When the eye’s length is longer than usual or the cornea’s curvature is too sharp, light doesn’t focus accurately. The resulting image is formed in front of the retina, not on it, causing distant objects to appear blurry.
This condition is far from rare. Myopia instances have doubled in U.S. children from the 1990s to the 2010s, and it’s estimated that half of the world’s population will be myopic by 2050.
Given these startling figures, understanding and treating myopia has become a crucial aspect of children’s healthcare.
Why does my child have myopia?
A variety of factors contribute to the development of myopia in children. One major influence is the increased screen time children spend on computers and mobile video games. Those who spend seven or more hours per week on such devices triple their risk for myopia.
Genetics also play a key role. A child with one myopic parent has a 25% chance of developing the condition. That risk escalates to 50% if both parents have myopia.
Additionally, insufficient exposure to natural sunlight has been linked to a rise in myopia, as sunlight helps promote healthy eye growth.
Does myopia progression stop after reaching a certain age?
Yes, myopia generally stops progressing in the late teens or early twenties. However, early intervention is crucial as higher degrees of myopia can lead to serious eye health problems in the future.
What causes myopia to worsen?
Excessive close-up work, such as reading or spending extended periods on digital devices, can intensify myopia.
A sedentary indoor lifestyle might not only lead to the onset of myopia but could also worsen an existing condition. If this is the case, then increasing outdoor activities can help manage and prevent the progression of myopia.
The 20-20-20 rule
As mentioned earlier, taking regular breaks from screen time is crucial – even if these breaks are small. Therefore, we recommend adhering to the 20-20-20 rule.
The 20-20-20 rule means that every 20 minutes, you look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Myopia treatment options
At Eye Society, we believe that merely prescribing glasses is not enough to tackle myopia. Hence, we offer a variety of treatment options tailored to our patients’ unique needs.
One of our premier treatments is Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), a non-surgical procedure involving specially designed hard contact lenses worn overnight to reshape the cornea. We offer Abiliti lenses, which are the only FDA approved lenses for myopia control and also used by Luries Children’s Eye Clinic.
Ultimately, Ortho-K lenses will help correct myopia while you sleep, leading to clear, glasses-free vision during the day.
We also prescribe soft multifocal daytime lenses like MiSight, and in certain cases, low-dose atropine eye drops, all proven to be safe and effective in myopia control.
Is it possible to treat Myopia without surgery?
Yes, it’s definitely possible to treat myopia without the need for surgical procedures. Myopia can be managed through various non-surgical methods such as prescription eye drops, contact lenses, and Ortho-K. There are eyeglasses as well, however those are not yet approved by the FDA.
At Eye Society, we prefer to use Ortho-K lenses for myopia treatment, which are worn overnight to reshape the cornea and improve vision.
What are the ways to reduce the effects of myopia naturally?
Naturally reducing myopia’s effects involves promoting eye health and preventing myopia progression. Encourage your child to spend more time outdoors, as natural sunlight exposure can slow myopia progression.
Additionally, applying the 20-20-20 rule helps reduce digital eye strain: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away.
Conclusion
Myopia, a prevalent condition that impacts millions of children worldwide, can disrupt their daily lives and future eye health. But with understanding and proactive treatment, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Whether it’s due to genetic factors, excessive screen time, or lack of sunlight exposure, myopia can be effectively managed.
At Eye Society, we’re committed to providing high-quality eye care services, including innovative treatment options like Ortho-K for myopia.
By leveraging our expertise and commitment to patient care, we strive to ensure that your child can see their world clearly and vividly, without the constraints of myopia.
If you’re a parent seeking myopia treatment for your child or someone seeking myopia treatment, we invite you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tanvi Mago at Eye Society.
We’re more than just an optometry practice – we’re a community of experts passionate about eye health and dedicated to improving our patients’ lives, one vision at a time.