Myopia

Myopia, often called short-sightedness or near-sightedness, is a condition of the eyes that results in blurry long-distance vision. A person with myopia can see clearly up close, such as when reading a book or looking at a phone, while distant objects like store signs or television screens may appear blurry or hard to read.

Higher levels of myopia are associated with a higher risk of eye disease in adulthood, so it’s important to monitor your child’s eye health and ensure that any symptoms of myopia are checked by an eye care professional.

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 glasses and standard contact lenses can correct a person’s vision, they do not treat the underlying cause of myopia or slow its progression.

Treatments for myopia include:

• Orthokeratalogy (Ortho-k)
• Atropine eye drops
• Multifocal contact lenses

At Evans & Taylor Eye Care, our doctors will work closely with each family to provide customized treatment plans for every child based on their needs. Follow-up visits are important to assess the plan efficacy every 6-12 months.

Please get in touch with us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shaffer or Dr. Wurster to help manage your child’s myopia.