Myopia Management For Children in the Metro East Area In Illinois
Myopia, otherwise known as nearsightedness, is a condition where visually impaired individuals can see objects clearly when they are close but are very blurred when looking at them at a farther distance. Myopia generally occurs when the cornea of your eye is too curved or the eyeball itself is too long, disrupting your vision. A majority of patients diagnosed with myopia have either inherited it from one of their parents or the increased use of one’s eyesight due to reading, sitting at a computer, or other visual work. If you believe that you are experiencing a decrease in your ability to see objects from farther away, call our office today to schedule an eye exam so that we may help with your myopia management.
Causes & Risk Factors
While there are many different causes and risks that come with having Myopia, there is still no precise discovery as to why a person develops this at birth or over time. Here are a few of the most common causes and risks associated with nearsightedness. If you have any questions or concerns regarding myopia, please call our Lebanon office today at (618) 537-6356 or our Breese office at (618) 526-7765.
- Myopia can cause vision to become blurred or unfocused at night or in low light settings, making it difficult for the eyes to focus properly.
- Some experience “pseudo” myopia, otherwise known as false myopia, that causes vision to blur due to the overuse of the eyes. This constant stress can lead to permanent damage.
- If you or your child are experiencing symptoms of myopia, it may be caused by low blood sugar levels or an early indication of cataracts.
Symptoms
Many symptoms can arise to determine if you are experiencing signs of myopia. While myopia is usually found first in children, it can be developed over time in adults without a family history of nearsightedness. If your vision is blurry while looking at distant objects, you feel the need to squint to see clearly, you have frequent headaches, or have trouble seeing at night while driving, schedule an appointment for an eye exam today.
If your child has myopia, you may notice they feel a need to sit closer to the television, blink excessively, cannot see distant objects, or rubs their eyes frequently.
Pediatric Myopia Management
So, how do you manage or correct your myopia? Myopia management has a variety of methods that help to slow or get rid of the condition entirely. While LASIK has been known to permanently treat nearsightedness in adults, the procedure may not be for everyone. In that case, here are 4 other common treatments to manage myopia in individuals of all ages.
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Eyeglasses
Many individuals choose eyeglasses to manage myopia. Many patients only have to wear glasses during activities such as working or reading, and others may be required to wear them constantly for clear vision.
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Ortho-K or CRT
Otherwise known as corneal refractive therapy, Ortho-K is a non-surgical procedure that includes the wearing of a series of rigid contact lenses to reshape the curvature of your cornea. This will then change how light enters your eye and help to obtain clear vision for most of your daily activities.
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MiSight Contact Lenses
Lebanon Optometric Center and Breese Family Vision Center are both one of the few MiSight certified practices in Southern Illinois. This contact is a daily disposable soft contact lens that is approved by the FDA to slow the progression of myopia in children.
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Multifocal Soft Contact Lens
Multifocal soft contact lenses have been proven to help prevent myopia from worsening in children. The strength of these lenses diminishes the ability for peripheral blur to occur, stopping myopia altogether.
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Atropine Eye Drops
Atropine eye drops have been one of the most common solutions for myopia for over 100 years. It is the best solution for younger children that may have trouble wearing glasses and has virtually no risks with plenty of benefits. Not only do these specialty eye drops have no side effects, but they can also be used along with other forms of control such as glasses or multifocal soft contact lenses.
