Also known as nearsightedness, Myopia causes distant objects to look blurry while near objects are clear. It occurs when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea is too curved. The American Academy of Ophthalmology found that this condition affects 40% of children in the U.S. It’s estimated that by 2050, almost 5 billion people in the world will experience myopia.
Myopia Management in Issaquah
The complications that come with myopia may range from mild to severe. Children with this condition often struggle in school or in extracurricular activities or social activities. They may also find it difficult to focus and drive safely when it comes time to do so.
Myopia Diagnosis
Myopia can be diagnosed at a very young age, sometimes as early as five. While there is no cure for myopia, there are a number of treatments that slow the progression and decrease the risks associated with it.
At Issaquah Optometric Center, we are pleased to offer myopia management to help children live high quality lives, despite their myopia.
Causes of Myopia
There are a few reasons your child may develop myopia including:
- Not enough time spent outdoors
- A family history of nearsightedness
- Asian race
- Genetic conditions, such as Marfan’s syndrome
Symptoms of Myopia
The most common (and oftentimes only) symptom that children may notice is blurred distant objects. However, they may also experience other symptoms such as headaches, squinting, blinking, eye strain, and eye fatigue. In addition, if your child needs to sit in front of the classroom in school or closer to the television or movie screen, it may be because they have myopia. Oftentimes, children don’t know they have vision issues because they don’t know any better.
Diagnosing Myopia
An eye exam can diagnose myopia in children. During the exam, Dr. Chang will perform several tests to measure how your child’s eyes focus in the light. Since myopia tends to run in families, eye exams at an early age are particularly important if anyone in your family has this condition or other vision issues.
Management Techniques for Myopia
Glasses and contact lenses are traditionally used for myopia to make distant objects clearer. As children get older, they’ll need new prescriptions to accommodate their growing eyes and worsening vision.
However, through the use of newer technology, such as special contact lenses, glasses, and even eye drops, our optometry professionals can reduce the progression of myopia by about 50%. Our treatment plan is ideal for children until they reach ages 18 to 25 when vision usually stabilizes.
Contact Issaquah Optometric Center
In need of myopia management in Issaquah for you or your child? Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!