Myopia can start as early as childhood if there is a family history. Keep an eye on your children if you suspect there is a chance that they can become myopic. The earlier you start myopia control, the better.

What Is Myopia Control?

Myopia control in children’s eye care helps slow down myopia progression. It involves the prescription of different solutions to keep their vision from worsening. It also slows down eye lengthening, which causes myopia.

The pediatric eye doctor may also ask you to incorporate lifestyle changes. These changes will complement the treatments they prescribe.

When Should My Child Start Treatment?

The sooner you start the treatment, the better. As soon as your child gets a diagnosis, start them on treatment. Generally, once a child has myopia, it progresses into their adulthood. Waiting to see what will happen will not help. The odds are that it will get worse. Progression increases their chances of developing other eye conditions that lead to vision loss.

What Does It Involve?

The doctor at EyeVenue will prescribe treatment depending on your child’s age and the severity of their condition. There are different management techniques. They include:

 

• Eyeglasses
   

• Contacts
   

• Atropine eye drops
   

• Orthokeratology (ortho-k)

Eyeglasses

These are a popular choice among younger children. Nowadays, doctors prescribe corrective lenses that have more than one optical prescription. Single vision lenses tend to increase myopia instead of reducing it. These bifocal or multifocal lenses help them focus and reduce stress on the eyes.

Contact Lenses

Older children and adults prefer these lenses. However, children between eight to 12 years can also be responsible with their contact lenses. The lenses are similar to eyeglasses with more than one optical prescription. They can be bifocal or multifocal.

Atropine Eye Drops

These widen the pupil, allowing more light than usual. They will also slow down the progression of myopia. The eyedrops keep the eye from lengthening, preserving your child’s eyesight. You need to place a drop of atropine in your child’s eyes at night before they sleep during bedtime.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-k)

The method uses specific gas-permeable rigid contact lenses. Your child will wear these while they are asleep. The lenses will flatten their cornea and keep the eyes from lengthening. During the day, the child will have clear vision without using glasses or contact lenses.

Is Myopia Control Effective?

Research shows that myopia control reduces myopia progression by 78 percent. The statistics are significant, so myopia control in children works. However, make sure you heed the doctor’s instructions and incorporate some lifestyle changes. It will help limit your child’s myopia and protect their vision.

How Long Should It Last?

Myopia control should continue if the prescription continues to progress. That could mean it will continue well into teenage years and adulthood. Wait until the child has the same eye prescription for two to three years. The recurrence means that myopia is now stable. For the best results, make sure you start myopia control as soon as possible.

For more information on myopia control in children, visit EyeVenue at our office in Westminster, Colorado. You can call (720) 740-0400 to schedule an appointment today.