Myopia Management

Myopia is more prevalent than ever, and experts predict that by 2050, 50% of the global population will be myopic, according to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the U.S. alone, nearly 30% of children are affected by myopia, and the rates are steadily climbing. At San Marcos Vision Center, we understand the concerns surrounding myopia and offer comprehensive myopia management options to safeguard your child’s long-term vision health.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error in which distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly. This occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea has too much curvature, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. Myopia typically develops during childhood and can progress with age, particularly during school years when visual demands increase. Regular eye exams are essential for detecting and managing myopia effectively.

Should You Be Concerned About Your Child’s Myopia?

If left unchecked, myopia can progress quickly, leading to potential complications and impacting various aspects of your child’s life. Here are some critical reasons why you should be concerned:

• Signs and Symptoms of Myopia: Children with myopia often squint, complain of headaches, or struggle to see the board in school. If your child holds books or screens unusually close, it might be a sign of nearsightedness.
• Impact on Learning: Myopia can interfere with your child’s ability to learn. When they cannot see distant objects clearly, such as a classroom board, it can hinder academic performance and lead to frustration.
• Daily Activities: Whether it's playing sports or participating in other outdoor activities, myopia can make normal tasks more challenging and interfere with your child’s active lifestyle.
• Self-Esteem: Vision problems can lower a child’s self-esteem, particularly if they feel different from their peers because of difficulty with certain activities.
• Vision Complications Later in Life: Severe myopia increases the risk of serious eye conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy. The earlier myopia starts, the more likely it is to progress into high myopia, which brings a significant risk of vision impairment in adulthood.

Statistics on Vision Risks for High Myopia

Studies have shown that individuals with high myopia (greater than -6.00D) have an increased risk of eye diseases. For example, they are 14 times more likely to develop glaucoma, 5 times more likely to suffer from cataracts, and 17 times more likely to experience retinal detachment compared to individuals without myopia.

Preventive Steps for Myopia

While genetics play a role, lifestyle choices can significantly influence the development and progression of myopia. Encouraging children to spend more time outdoors—at least 90 minutes a day—has been shown to reduce the onset and progression of myopia. Outdoor activities expose children to natural light, which may help in controlling the eye’s growth and slow down the progression of nearsightedness.

Myopia Management

By implementing myopia management strategies and lifestyle modifications, you can help slow the progression of myopia. This not only preserves clearer vision but also protects long-term eye health, reducing the likelihood of vision-threatening complications later in life. At San Marcos Vision Center, we offer advanced myopia management solutions to help slow down the progression of myopia in children. These options include:

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): These are custom gas-permeable retainer lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea. Ortho-K lenses temporarily correct myopia, allowing clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses. This method is highly effective for slowing the progression of myopia in children.
• MiSight® Contact Lenses: Approved by the FDA, MiSight® is a daily disposable contact lens designed to correct vision while slowing the progression of myopia in children aged 8 to 12. These lenses offer a comfortable and effective way to manage myopia.
• Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops are another effective option. These drops, used once daily, have been shown to significantly slow the progression of myopia in children without correcting vision directly, making them ideal for use in combination with glasses or contact lenses.
• Bifocal or progressive eyeglasses: Although specialized glasses for myopia management are not yet approved in the U.S., these glasses use specialized lenses that slow down eye growth and myopia progression.

Taking Control of Your Child's Myopia

Addressing your child’s myopia early is critical to preventing long-term vision issues. At San Marcos Vision Center, our comprehensive myopia management program includes tailored solutions based on your child’s needs, lifestyle, and the degree of myopia progression. By taking preventive action today, you can help protect your child’s vision for a lifetime.

Schedule an appointment with us today to learn more about how we can help manage your child’s myopia effectively.