Myopia Management
What is myopia, and why do we need to manage it?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the eyeball grows too long and light focuses in front of the retina, resulting in blurry vision at a distance.
Myopia can lead to serious eye conditions like retinal detachment and glaucoma if not managed early. Standard glasses don’t slow its progression—and may even worsen it. Myopia management options like orthokeratology, multifocal contacts, and atropine drops help slow progression and reduce long-term risks. Early detection and treatment are key to protecting your child’s vision.
Risk of Eye Problems with Higher Myopia Levels
Myopia symptoms in children include:
- Squinting when looking at distant objects
- Difficulty seeing the whiteboard at school
- Sitting very close to the TV
- Struggling with activities requiring hand-eye coordination
Risk factors for myopia:
- Genetics: a child has a 25% chance of becoming myopic if one parent is myopic and a 50% chance if both parents are myopic.
- Increase in near work especially if the reading distance is 25cm or less.
- More time indoors. Children who spend more time outside are less likely to be myopic.