Myopia
In today’s digital age, myopia, also known as nearsightedness or short-sightedness, has become increasingly prevalent among children and teenagers. It is not just a matter of needing glasses for blurred vision; myopia can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and long-term eye health. Fortunately, there are innovative myopia control treatments available that can slow down the progression of myopia and provide both short-term and long-term benefits. In this article, we will explore the concept of myopia control, who can benefit from it, the advantages it offers, and other essential factors to consider in managing myopia.
Parker Hamilton
What Is Myopia?
Myopia is a refractive error that causes blurred vision in objects that are far away. While it is commonly corrected with glasses or contact lenses, myopia is more than just a visual impairment. It is a progressive eye disorder that typically begins during childhood and worsens over time. The eyes of children with myopia grow too quickly and too long, leading to an elongation of the eyeball. This excessive growth results in continually deteriorating vision and increased risks to eye health throughout a person’s lifetime.
What is Myopic Control?
Myopia control refers to a range of treatments aimed at slowing down the progression of myopia in children, teenagers, and even young adults. These treatments include special types of spectacle lenses, such as myopia control glasses, soft contact lenses, orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lenses, and atropine eye drops. While myopia control cannot completely stop the progression of myopia, it can significantly reduce the rate at which it worsens. By slowing down myopia progression, these treatments offer both short-term benefits of better vision between eye exams and long-term benefits of protecting eye health.
Who Can We Help?
Myopia control treatments have been extensively researched in children aged 6 to 16. There is less evidence for effective treatments in younger children or older teenagers and young adults. However, recent studies have shown that young adults can still experience myopia progression, even after a childhood of normal vision. Therefore, myopia control treatment should ideally continue into early adulthood to ensure the best possible outcomes. It is important to consult with an optometrist or eye doctor to determine the suitability of myopia control treatment for an individual based on their age and specific needs.