Eye health is critical to your child’s growth and can be fundamental for learning. Regular eye exams should begin at 6 months old to detect possible vision problems early.
While most vision problems might seem like something that only happens as we get older, children can experience issues such as myopia from a young age. Myopia, often known as nearsightedness, is the inability to view distant objects clearly. It usually begins in childhood and progresses as children get older.
Myopia cannot be cured, but myopia control can decrease its progression and reduce the risks related to high myopia as kids grow older.
More on Myopia
Myopia is caused by an extended eye shape or a steep cornea, which creates a point of focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. Myopia is becoming more and more common, particularly in children, although there are new approaches to address and control it.
Myopia is classified into 2 main types based on the biological processes that cause the refractive error.
Axial Myopia
Axial myopia occurs when the eye is stretched out from front to back, causing the cornea and lens focus point to fall in front of the retina. Axial myopia is the most common type.
Refractive Myopia
Refractive myopia occurs when the cornea or the lens is overly curved, causing rays of light to bend at a sharper degree and forming a focus point in front of the retina.
Methods of Controlling Myopia
Prescription glasses and contacts can correct myopia, however they aren’t the only options.
MiSight 1 Day Contact Lenses
Myopia can worsen over time as a result of normal eye growth. MiSight 1 Day contact lenses are a myopia control solution for children that can help slow eye growth and, as a result, myopia development.
MiSight 1 Day contact lenses are specifically intended for children. These daily disposables can be easier for kids to maintain, as there’s no need for storing or cleaning the lenses. Most importantly, studies indicate that these contacts can slow the development of myopia by an average of 59%.
Multifocal Contact Lenses
Multifocal contact lenses, which have been proven to be considerably more effective than multifocal eyeglasses, are another treatment option for myopia.
The lenses feature various prescriptions in concentric rings to provide clear near and distance vision. The near prescription allows a child’s eyes to employ their inherent focusing ability, which can help keep the eyes strong and prevent myopia from worsening over time.
Multifocal Glasses
When compared to standard distance glasses, multifocal glasses are more successful at slowing the development of myopia.
Multifocal glasses can help prevent the development of myopia if you are concerned about your child using contact lenses or if contact lenses are not a possibility.
Myopia Causes
Those with myopia have differently shaped eyes. The eyeball length is typically too long, or the cornea is too curved. Light hitting the eye does not concentrate correctly, focusing in front of rather than on the retina.
Other factors that could contribute to myopia include:
- Parents with myopia
- Lengthy time spent doing near work or using digital devices
- Spending less time outside
The Best For Your Child
We all want what is best for our children. When it comes to their eye health, routine eye exams are the first step to diagnosing, treating, and controlling myopia in your child. Schedule an appointment with Broadway Eyecare and help your child achieve and maintain their best eyesight!
