Why Does Myopia Need to Be Managed?

Myopia (nearsightedness) is reaching epidemic proportions. By 2050, half of the world’s population is expected to have myopia. That’s worrying, as having myopia significantly raises the risk of developing sight-threatening eye diseases later in life, such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment and macular degeneration.

The level of myopia a child has is directly correlated to their risk of eye disease — the higher the myopia, the greater the risk. A child between -0.75D and -3.00 is more than 3 times more likely to develop retinal detachment in the future. That number triples for individuals with high myopia (-5.00 and above). If you’re concerned that your child’s vision is deteriorating, contact Revision Optix today. We can help.

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Did You Know Myopia Is Caused By Abnormal Eye Growth?

Myopia is the most common refractive error among children and young adults. It occurs when the eye elongates, causing rays of light to focus in front of the light-sensitive retina rather than directly on it. This causes distant objects to appear blurred while nearby objects remain clear.

The degree of myopia can progress gradually or rapidly, especially from ages 8-18. This is not just a matter of inconvenience or needing stronger glasses; if myopia continues to progress, the child is at a higher risk of developing dangerous eye diseases later in life that can lead to permanent vision loss and even blindness.

Although [eyeglasses] and standard contact lenses can correct a person’s vision, they do not treat the underlying cause of myopia or slow its progression.
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Treatment Options for Myopia

There are three specific treatment options to slow the progression of myopia.

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-k)

• Atropine eye drops

• Multifocal contact lenses
  
  

Our doctors work closely with each family and customize treatment programs for every child based on their unique needs. Patients are thoroughly evaluated, carefully monitored, and reviewed frequently in order to monitor progress and modify the treatment to ensure the best outcomes. Follow-up visits generally occur every 6-12 months to assess the treatment’s efficacy.

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