Nearsightedness or myopia makes it difficult to see things across the room or far away. If your child is unable to see objects that are far away clearly, they are referred to as nearsighted or having myopia.

Myopia often occurs because the eyeball grows too long during childhood. Squinting eyes, headaches, eye strain and eye fatigue maybe symptoms of myopia. But it’s important to keep in mind that some children may never complain of any symptoms and that is why early childhood eye exams are greatly encouraged. Early childhood eye exams will ensure that your child’s vision problems (if any) are detected early, and treated properly.

Why is my child nearsighted?

Your child may have myopia because of genetics or lifestyle factors. Children whose parents are nearsighted have a higher risk of being nearsighted.

Myopia (nearsightedness) typically begins in childhood although it may stabilize it can continue to progress with age. Children who spend time indoors, close-up activities or hobbies (such as reading, gaming, electronics, hand-held devices, phones, etc.) may have a higher risk of being nearsighted or having myopia. Low levels of vitamin D intake because of poor lighting, reduced time spent outdoors can also increase the risk of myopia.

Myopia is a Growing Trend

Myopia is a major concern, as it is predicted that about 1.5 billion people worldwide are nearsighted. Some countries in Asia, have up to 80% of their population having myopia. And in the U.S. the prevalence of myopia is about 42%.

Even more concerning, is that the rate of myopia is increasing rapidly globally. And it is estimated by the year 2050, roughly half the world population will be nearsighted.

What can I do to control my child’s Myopia?

With more children becoming nearsighted, the growing interest in finding ways to control myopia has increased and we have several options that will help your child slow down their myopia’s progression.

One option is MiSight Contact lenses – MiSight contact lenses are a 1 day contact lens that can:

Why should I consider slowing down my child’s myopia?

Depending on the severity of your child’s myopia (which ranges from mild to high), they risk the following complications:

Glaucoma – This condition tends to be more common among adults, although it can still occur at any age. Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness.
Cataract – Cataracts are the clouding of the lens, resulting in impaired vision. Those who suffer from high levels of myopia are three times more likely to suffer this condition later in life.
Vision Impairment – Overall, those suffering from high levels of myopia have a 34% higher chance of experiencing some form of vision impairment.

Because of the stretching that occurs with retinal tissue, it makes sense that these patients are at significantly higher risk of retinal detachments, glaucoma, and a host of other ocular diseases later in life, in addition to overall worsening vision.

The severity of the conditions would depend on the level of myopia, which ranges from mild to high. Mild levels of myopia can triple the risk of retinal detachment while moderate levels of myopia can increase by as much as nine times. High levels of myopia are the most worrying as it can result in serious eye conditions later in life. Listed below are the most serious ones:

Orthokeratology

Clear vision without surgery, glasses, or daytime contacts.

What if you could correct your eyesight and reduce your dependence on corrective lenses, all while you sleep?

It may sound impossible. But for many, it’s a reality with orthokeratology (ortho-k).

What is orthokeratology?

Ortho-k uses specially designed, gas permeable contact lenses to temporarily reshape your cornea while you sleep.

The result is clear vision when you wake up and remove the lenses the following day. And that effect should last throughout the day.

The change in the shape of the cornea, as well as the vision correction you experience, will revert when you stop using the lenses.

What visual problems can ortho-k correct?

Ortho-K is most commonly used to temporarily correct myopia (nearsightedness).

In some cases, it can be used to correct lesser degrees of astigmatism and farsightedness.

To find out if ortho-k is right for you, get in touch with your eye care provider.

Am I a good candidate for ortho-k?

Only your eye care provider can answer that question.

However, most people with mild to moderate myopia are good candidates.

The treatment is highly preferred for people who have issues wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses.

What Is Myopia?

Why is my child’s vision blurry for distant objects?