Myopia Management

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly common among children worldwide. As a condition that causes distant objects to appear blurry while nearby objects remain clear, myopia can significantly impact your child's development, academic performance, and overall well-being if left untreated. At EyeScript Vision Care, we offer various effective treatment options to slow its progression and protect your child's long-term vision health.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long, or the cornea is too curved. This causes light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it, leading to blurry distance vision. Myopia often begins in childhood and typically worsens throughout the school years, making early detection and management crucial.

Signs and Symptoms of Myopia

Recognizing the signs of myopia early can help prevent long-term vision problems. Some common symptoms include:

  • Difficulty seeing distant objects, like the whiteboard at school or road signs

  • Squinting to improve focus

  • Complaints of headaches or eye strain

  • Holding books or devices close to the face

  • Frequently rubbing the eyes

  • Blinking excessively

The Impact of Myopia and
Why to Be Concerned

Myopia can significantly impact a child’s overall development and well-being. When a child struggles to see clearly at a distance, it can affect their ability to learn, as much of classroom instruction relies on visual cues from a distance, like reading from the board. Beyond academics, myopia can interfere with normal daily activities such as playing sports or engaging in hobbies, limiting a child's participation and enjoyment. This vision impairment may also lead to lowered self-esteem, as children may feel different from their peers or frustrated by their inability to see clearly.

The Key to Early Detection

Regular eye exams are critical for detecting myopia in its early stages, especially since children may not always recognize that they have a vision problem. The American Optometric Association
recommends that children receive their first comprehensive eye exam at six months of age, again at three years old, and before starting school. After that, yearly exams help monitor for changes in vision and detect conditions like myopia as early as possible.

Risks of Untreated Myopia

If left untreated, myopia can worsen over time, leading to more severe vision problems later in life. High myopia increases the risk of developing serious eye conditions such as:

  • Retinal detachment

  • Cataracts

  • Glaucoma

  • Macular degeneration

Managing myopia early on can significantly reduce the risk of these complications and help preserve your child’s vision long-term. We offer several treatments to manage myopia and slow its progression in children. These techniques aim to reduce the rate at which myopia worsens, helping to protect your child’s vision for the future.

Atropine Therapy

Low-dose atropine works by slowing the progression of myopia, reducing the rate at which the eyeball elongates, which is a key factor in worsening vision. Atropine targets the underlying cause, helping to prevent future complications associated with high myopia. These eye drops are typically administered at bedtime and have minimal side effects, making them a practical option for long-term management.

Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, is a non-surgical treatment that involves wearing specially designed gas permeable lenses overnight. These lenses gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, allowing them to enjoy clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contact lenses. In addition to correcting vision, Ortho-K has been shown to slow the progression of myopia, making it a popular choice for active children.

MiSight®
Contact Lenses

MiSight® contact lenses are daily disposable lenses designed specifically for myopia control in children. These innovative lenses use a dual-focus design to correct vision while simultaneously slowing down the elongation of the eye. Clinical studies have shown that MiSight® lenses can reduce myopia progression by up to 59%. They offer a convenient and comfortable option for children who may not want to wear glasses or use other forms of treatment.

Take Control of Your Child's Vision
with EyeScript Vision Care

MiSight® contact lenses are daily disposable lenses designed specifically for myopia control in children. These innovative lenses use a dual-focus design to correct vision while simultaneously slowing down the elongation of the eye. Clinical studies have shown that MiSight® lenses can reduce myopia progression by up to 59%. They offer a convenient and comfortable option for children who may not want to wear glasses or use other forms of treatment.