Myopia management is a growing area of eye care focused on slowing the progression of childhood myopia. Myopia (nearsightedness) most often occurs when the eyeball grows or elongates over time. This causes vision at a distance to become blurry. Once a child becomes myopic, progression tends to occur. Also, the younger a child becomes myopic, the greater the chance for progression and higher amounts of myopia.
Currently one-third of the US population has been diagnosed with myopia and it is thought that by 2050, 50% of the population will be myopic. As myopia increases the risk for eye diseases increases, such as: retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. The goal of myopia management is to slow eye growth and reduce the associated risks.
Actually, they can. Continuing to closely monitor the child’s prescription is an option, however, conventional glasses and contact lenses do not show to slow the elongation of the eye. The doctors at Ridgeview Eye Care believe that the prevalence of myopia is increasing, and we want to offer ways to slow the progression of myopia and reduce the risks for sight threatening eye diseases.
There are 3 different therapies that have been studied and shown to slow the progression of myopia. The doctors at Ridgeview Eye Care prescribe all 3 therapy options and can recommend which option might be best for your child.