MYOPIA MANAGEMENT FOR CHILDREN:

The incidence of myopia is increasing.  Myopia is occurring at younger and younger ages and it is progressing more rapidly than ever.  Why?  Some experts say it is due to reduced time spent outside and/or increased time spent on screens.  Heredity also plays a role.  Nearsightedness can certainly affect quality of life but it also places the eyes at greater risk for certain eye diseases (eg retinal detachment).

The goal of myopia management is to slow or halt the progression of myopia and it has been shown statistically that it does do this.  The earlier one begins, the better.  Myopia management continues over many years, while a child is growing.  It can involve special soft multifocal contact lenses or rigid contact lenses, atropine, and/or special glasses lenses.  It involves frequent follow-up to measure how it is going  and to modify the modality used if indicated- we get to know each other pretty well!  

Your optometrist is uniquely positioned to identify at risk children as they monitor refractive changes at your child’s annual eye exams.  Please feel free to ask your eye doctor about myopia management for your child.