What is myopia?

 
 

If you or your child have trouble seeing things far away, you may have myopia, also known as nearsightedness. This is a condition where you can see objects clearly when they are close to you, but have difficulty seeing them when they are far away. It is a common problem, that occurs when the eyeball is usually too long from front to back. This condition can be treated in a variety of ways. Symptoms of myopia include difficulty seeing things in the distance, squinting, headaches, and eye fatigue.

 

What are the symptoms of Myopia?

eye chart icon

Blurry vision at a distance

icon of boy squinting

Squinting eyes to see far away

icon of girl with a headache

Headaches and eyestrain

 

A child with myopia may…

  • Persistently squint

  • Need to sit closer to the television, movie screen, or the front of the classroom

  • Seem to be unaware of distant objects or details

  • Blink excessively

  • Rub his or her eyes frequently

These symptoms are a result of vision being blurred when looking at things far away. While myopia is not reversible and will continue to increase in children until the age of 20-21 years of age. This is why it is key to diagnose early and slow down its progression with eye therapies.

 

How common is Myopia?

 
 

Myopia is on the rise. A 2008 study found that a third of Americans have myopia or nearsightedness. A 2009 study further revealed that the number of Americans with myopia had increased dramatically from the 1970s to the early 2000s.

Myopia is becoming more and more common around the world. Risk factors for progressive myopia would include:

  • Time spent indoors performing near & intermediate activities in excess of 2-2.5 hours per day

  • Spending less than 2-2.5 hours per day outdoors is at higher risk.

  • Family history & genetics

    • If a child has one near-sighted parent they are 3x more likely to be at risk, and if they have two nearsighted parents they are 6x more likely to be at risk.

More recent research has shown that cases of myopia (nearsightedness) are surging in kids aged 8-14 worldwide. Recent studies suggest that this may be due to a decrease in the amount of time children spend outdoors.

 

What are the treatment options for myopia?

Developing a treatment plan can slow down the progression of myopia. A treatment plan can include both lifestyle and therapies for your child’s eyes. Call ☎ (507) 322-0044 with You and Eye Family Eye Care to create a custom treatment plan for your child.

Therapies

  • Low concentration Atropine drops

  • Orthokeratology overnight lenses

  • Dual-focused contact lenses (MiSight 1-day lenses)

  • Myopia spectacles *

Lifestyle changes

  • Reduce near & intermediate activities, including reading, writing, phones, iPads, handheld video games, etc.

  • Increase outdoor play

  • Improve study posture, head & eyes further from paper or device to reduce over-focusing

 

*FDA approved Myopia Management spectacles are not yet available in the United States