The Importance of Early Myopia Detection and Management

As a parent, safeguarding your child’s health is always top of mind—and vision health is no exception. One common eye condition in children is myopia, or nearsightedness, a refractive error where distant objects appear blurry while close objects remain clear. With cases of myopia on the rise worldwide, understanding its early detection and management is crucial for maintaining clear vision and overall eye health.
 

Why Early Detection Matters

Myopia often begins in childhood and can progress rapidly. Early detection is essential because myopia can worsen over time, increasing the risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and even retinal detachment. Identifying and addressing myopia at an early stage helps slow its progression, protecting your child’s vision both now and in the future.
 

Signs of Myopia in Children

Children may not always communicate issues with their vision, so being vigilant about certain behaviors can help. Here are some common signs of myopia in children:
 

•           Squinting to see distant objects, such as the board in school

•           Sitting close to the television or holding books very close to their face

•           Complaints of headaches or eye strain

•           Difficulty focusing on or recognizing people and objects at a distance
 

If you notice these signs, it may be time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.
 

How Myopia is Diagnosed

At Advanced Family Eye Care, we provide thorough eye examinations to diagnose myopia in children and adults. Our optometrists use advanced tools to measure refractive errors and assess eye health. In addition, for children with a high risk of myopia progression, we may perform axial length measurements to monitor the eye's growth, giving us a better picture of their myopia development over time.
 

Myopia Management Techniques

While myopia cannot be cured, there are effective management techniques that can help slow its progression, especially when implemented early. Here are some of the most common options:
 

•        Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses: These specially designed contact lenses are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea, allowing for clear vision throughout the day without the need for daytime glasses or contacts. Ortho-K has been shown to help control the progression of myopia.

•        Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops can be prescribed to slow down the elongation of the eye, which is the main cause of myopia progression. Studies have shown that atropine drops can significantly reduce myopia progression in children.

•        Myopia-Control Soft Contact Lenses: These specialized contact lenses have been designed to slow myopia progression by redirecting light to specific areas of the retina. They offer both vision correction and a method of managing myopia’s advancement.

•        Lifestyle Adjustments: Limiting screen time and encouraging outdoor activities can positively impact myopia control. Spending time outdoors has been shown to slow the onset of myopia in children, likely due to natural light exposure and the focus on distant objects.
 

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam with Advanced Family Eye Care Today

When myopia is managed from an early age, children benefit from clearer vision, reduced dependency on corrective eyewear, and a lower risk of serious eye conditions in adulthood. Early intervention is a powerful tool that allows for a proactive approach, helping children maintain a better quality of life and giving parents peace of mind. At Advanced Family Eye Care, we are dedicated to protecting your child’s vision by providing effective myopia management and individualized care.
 

If you have any concerns about your child’s vision or if myopia runs in your family, schedule a pediatric eye exam with Advanced Family Eye Care. Visit our office in Broken Arrow/Coweta or Wagoner, Oklahoma. Please call (918) 279-8830 or (918) 485-2123 to book an appointment today.