Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a prevalent eye condition in which the eye does not bend light properly to a single focus. This causes distance objects to appear blurred while nearby objects remain clear. Myopia typically develops in children and then progresses into adulthood.

As myopia progresses, the eye continues to elongate. High levels of myopia can be associated with serious eye problems later in life. These include early cataract formation, glaucoma, and even retinal detachments.

Treatment and Management

If you or your child are nearsighted, you’re probably wondering if there is a cure – or at least something that can be done to slow its progression so your child doesn’t require stronger glasses year after year. Recent evidence suggest it may indeed be possible to at least control myopia by slowing its progression and preventing the eye from further elongating during childhood and among teenagers using a few different treatment options. These include:

• Orthokeratology (“Ortho-K” lenses) ® custom-designed hard contact lenses that are worn overnight to temporarily correct myopia
• Multifocal soft contact lenses (MiSight) ® effective in slowing myopia progression by creating peripheral blur to slow eye growth
• Atropine eye drops ® an ophthalmic eye drop used to dilate the pupil and completely relax the eyes’ focusing system

Due to the nature of myopia, treatment and management should begin during the onset of childhood. The best way to take advantage of methods to control myopia is to detect myopia early. Annual eye exams are recommended for children, starting at 6 months. Visit Mayfair Eye Care to learn more about Myopia Control today!