Myopi-what?
Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a very common problem that makes it hard to see things across the room and far away. Usually, myopia occurs because the eyeball grows too long during childhood. But there are other causes, too.
Heredity is a factor for myopia, but not the only one. If both parents are nearsighted, there is a greater risk that their kids will be nearsighted, too. Children who spend a lot of time engaged in near activities (reading, using hand-held electronics, etc.) appear to have a greater risk of becoming nearsighted.
For most nearsighted children, myopia gradually worsens, so they need stronger glasses with thicker, heavier lenses year after year. However, as amount of myopia increases so does like likelihood of your child developing a serious eye condition in their lifetime. Myopia increases the risk of developing early cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and myopic macular degeneration. This graph details the amount of prescription and the increased risk factor of developing these conditions.
Luckily, research has shown that different treatments can slow the progression of myopia, and lessen the risk of developing a vision disease.
Multifocal Contact Lenses
· Worn like traditional soft lenses they are able to correct distance vision as well as slowly myopia
· Studies show that soft bifocal contact lenses slowed myopia by 43%
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
· Contact lenses are specially designed that are worn only at night during sleep and removed in the morning
· Studies show these lenses slowed myopia by 45%
Atropine Eye Drops
· Instilled only once per day
· Low concentration: 1/100 of normal dose
· Studies show these drops slowed myopia by 61%
