Myopia (also known as “Nearsightedness”) is a common vision problem resulting in blurry vision at a distance.
Myopia is increasing at an alarming rate. By the year 2050 it’s predicted there will be 5 billion people with myopia!
Early onset, or childhood myopia, is the most rapidly progressive type of myopia. The earlier it starts and the faster it progresses, the more likely one is to develop “high myopia”. High myopia increases the chances of developing certain types of eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration.
Certain risk factors are associated with a higher risk of developing nearsightedness, including:
- Genetics. Myopia tends to run in families. A family history of nearsightedness causes an increased risk of myopia progression in children.
- Environmental conditions. Research has shown that a lack of time spent outdoors as well as increased time spent indoors on near tasks like computer work and reading can contribute to a higher risk of developing high myopia.
The earlier myopia is treated, the easier it will be to control its progression, limiting the risk of vision loss from eye disease. Fortunately, there are proven, pain-free methods to manage how quickly myopia progresses. These include specially designed contact lenses or glasses, bifocals or multi-focal lenses, and diluted Atropine eye drops.
At your child’s eye exam, our optometrist will let you know if they are at risk for developing high levels of myopia. You will be advised if they are a candidate for Myopia Therapy.
Once therapy is started, the treatment strategy may be adjusted as needed depending on how your child responds.
Therapy for rapid progression of myopia is now considered the standard of care for children and students up to age 17.
