Myopia, also called nearsightedness or shortsightedness, is the inability to see objects that are far away. This occurs when the eye grows too long from the front to back and causes the light to focus before it reaches the retina as opposed to directly on it. Myopia is the most common vision issue. It most likely starts developing during childhood. Symptoms of Myopia include fatigue, squinting, headaches, and eyestrain. If you suspect your child may have Myopia, contact us for effective Myopia management in Fairfax, VA.
We have seen an influx of symptoms in recent years and researchers believe it is due to the increased amount of screen time. In addition to poor vision, Myopia also increases your child’s risk of certain eye diseases including retinopathy and Glaucoma. Unless correctly managed, Myopia will progress and in many cases progress quickly.
Myopia cannot be cured, so early detection, intervention, and treatment can help slow down and, in some cases, stop the progression of Myopia.
Traditionally, glasses and/or contact lenses are worn to correct the amount of Myopia a patient has at the time of the exam. This is a great option for the patient’s current prescription but does not help with the detrition that will occur over the year until the next visit.
Our Doctors are proud to offer three alternative treatment options:
– Overnight contact lenses – These are custom-made contact lenses that the child wear while sleeping. During the night, the lens is gently reshaping the front surface of the eye. This means that once the lens is removed in the morning, the patient can see clearly and continue with normal daytime activities. It is crucial that the lenses are worn every night.
– Daytime Soft Contact Lenses – This FDA-approved option called MiSight are soft lenses worn during the day. These sound like traditional contact lenses; however, the unique optical design reduces the progression of Myopia. It is important to stick to your doctor’s guidelines for usage.
– Prescription Eye drops or Atropine Therapy – A personalized treatment plan for younger patients who may not be ready for contact lenses. Eye drops are put in the eyes before bedtime. Glasses and/or contact lenses will still be required during the day, but the drops used at night will be slowing down the progression of Myopia.
You may still have questions or may not be sure which option will be best for your child.
Only you, the parents and our board-certified doctors can determine which treatment plan is best for your child. We will work together to get to know your child and their eyes before personalizing a plan.
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If you want to learn more about our optometrist practice - where we offer the area's most convenient hours, where we offer a variety of generous payment options, and where your and your child's healthy vision is our top priority - Visual Health Doctors of Optometry is here to serve you!
