Addressing Nearsightedness

Myopia is more commonly known as nearsightedness. It’s a refractive error that results in distant objects appearing out-of-focus, while closer objects appear sharp and clear.

Myopia is becoming more prevalent in children, and our optometrists have dedicated themselves to slowing its progression by providing personalized treatment and care. If you have concerns about your child’s vision and myopia, please give us a call at Pack & Bianes Optometry Terra Nova.

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What Causes Myopia?

Myopia occurs if the eye grows longer than average from front to back or if the cornea is curved too steeply. These conditions affect how light reaches the retina.

Experts haven’t determined the exact cause of myopia, but research suggests it may be a combination of lifestyle and genetics.

Myopia in Children

Our children grow quickly in their early years, and their eyes grow right alongside them. Myopia commonly develops between the ages of 6 and 12 and gradually worsens until adulthood, when the eyes stop growing.

A child with myopia has an increased risk of developing vision problems like cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal tears. The current goal of myopia treatment is to prevent the condition from worsening.

Symptoms of myopia include:

Squinting persistently
Needing to sit closer to the screen or the front of the classroom
Appearing unaware of distant objects
Blinking excessively
Frequent eye rubbing

There are a variety of treatment methods and options for controlling myopia in children.

Available Myopia Control Methods

Atropine Eye Drops

Low-dose atropine drops have proven to be effective in slowing myopia progression in children. This treatment works while the eyes are still growing.

Corneal Reshaping Contact Lenses

Corneal reshaping contact lenses have been shown to reduce myopia progression in children by 36–56%. Rigid contact lenses are worn overnight to gently change the cornea into an ideal shape, allowing light to correctly focus on the child’s retina.

This treatment often offers clearer vision during the day without glasses.

Peripheral Defocus Contact Lenses

Research suggests that blurring peripheral vision slows the growth of children’s eyes, thereby slowing the progression of myopia.

Peripheral defocus contact lenses are multifocal contact lenses with varying rings of peripheral defocus. The rings outside of the center blur peripheral vision, and the center part of the lens provides clear distance vision.

Put Us in Your Corner

There are a variety of safe and effective treatments available to help maintain your child’s visual health. Pack & Bianes Optometry Terra Nova is happy to walk you through each option to ensure that your child’s eyesight stays sharp.

Myopia is a lifelong condition, but experts are working tirelessly to slow its progression in children. If you have concerns about your child’s eyesight, please book an appointment with us today.

Book at Terra Nova

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