Myopia, also commonly known as near-sightedness or short-sightedness, is an eye condition that causes blurred long-distance vision. A person with myopia can see plainly close up, such as when using a phone or reading a book, but distant objects, such as store signs and television screens, may appear blurry or difficult to read.
Higher levels of myopia are associated with an increased risk of eye disease in maturity; therefore, it is crucial to monitor your child’s eye health and have any symptoms of childhood myopia evaluated by an eye care professional.
What are the options for managing myopia?
There are two primary treatments for attempting to slow the progression of myopia:
- Custom-made eyeglasses
- Custom-made contact lenses
Glasses
These are spectacles with a unique design. They appear identical to standard spectacles but alter the focus of peripheral vision. These would be worn similarly to standard spectacles by your child.
Contact lenses
There are two different varieties of contact lenses that can be used to treat myopia:
- Soft contact lenses are designed to alter the focal point of light in the periphery of vision. These would be worn similarly to conventional contact lenses by your child. These lenses may make their vision slightly less distinct than traditional contact lenses.
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) or corneal contouring will be fitted with rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, which they will wear overnight. While your child sleeps, these lenses alter the shape of the cornea in order to temporarily reduce or correct moderate myopia and slow its progression.
Choosing to forego myopia treatment
Standard glasses or contact lenses will be prescribed if your infant is diagnosed with myopia. These glasses or contacts will enhance your child’s vision but will not slow myopia’s progression. As there is currently insufficient evidence to determine whether the long-term benefits of myopia management outweigh the costs, adverse effects, and risks, you may choose to continue using standard glasses or contact lenses until more information is available.
Is myopia management safe?
No additional dangers are associated with donning myopia management glasses compared to standard glasses.
The hazards of wearing contact lenses to treat myopia are comparable to those of wearing standard contact lenses. Some individuals experience moderate discomfort and occasional vision blurring. There is a low risk of serious complications, such as corneal infections, that can lead to vision loss with all contact lenses. There is an increased risk of complications when contact lenses are worn overnight. If your child wears contact lenses, it is crucial that they adhere to the optometrist’s sanitation and care instructions to avoid complications. It is also essential that they undergo routine contact lens examinations. Children can use contact lenses as proficiently as adults.