Slowing Nearsightedness With Myopia Management

Nearsightedness or myopia is a growing problem in America. This condition starts in childhood. The child’s eyeballs grow too long, causing a refractive error that causes the child to see only close objects, but those in the distance appear blurry. The lifestyle, family history, or both cause myopia.
 

Unfortunately, the condition worsens as the child grows older, as the eyes grow. But, there are ways you can slow the progression of nearsightedness.

 

Use Topical Medication

The medication used is atropine. Applying drops of it dilates the pupils. Atropine drops are typically used during eye exams or before and after eye surgery. But, when applied in specified doses, atropine can be the regular medication that slows myopia progression.

 

Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology, simply Ortho-K, is the procedure of correcting the eye’s refractive errors using special contact lenses. These lenses are gas permeable and more rigid than regular contact lenses. The doctor asks you to put the lenses on for some hours in a day, mostly when sleeping. While asleep, the lenses firmly press on the eyeball and correct your eyes’ curvature. When you wake up, the eye will have a new shape, and the refractive error that causes myopia is gone.
 

The effects of wearing Ortho-K lenses are temporary. But, you get to enjoy an entire day without contacts or glasses. With the regular wearing of the glasses, the eye maintains its new shape for longer. The effects may even last between 24 and 36 hours, which is quite good. Discontinuing the use of Ortho-K lenses gets the eye back to its former shape.

 

Use Multifocal Contact Lenses

These contact lenses have many prescriptions in one lens. Typically, they have a prescription for very near objects, objects viewed from a distance, and items in the intermediate space, all in the same lens. The lenses improve sight for a wide range of lengths between near and far distances. Multifocal contact lenses are often prescribed for children 8-12 years old.

 

Increase Time Spent Outside

From childhood to young adulthood, people should spend some hours outdoors each day. Doing so decreases their chances of developing nearsightedness later in life. Experts suggest that myopia progression depends on light exposure levels. They say that exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays may change the cornea’s molecular structure and the sclera, allowing the eye to take a regular shape. Experts also suggest that sunlight activates vitamin D, an essential vitamin for eye growth.
 

Playing outside also places more items in the distance than in the near vision, which trains the young eyes to focus on far objects. Unfortunately, many kids spend their time indoors using digital devices. They could be outside playing, the old-fashioned way.
 

Myopia progression is mostly a factor of the lifestyle a child adopts. An active outdoor lifestyle and proper nutrition should reduce the strain on your eyes. Multifocal lenses, Ortho-K lenses, and topical medication may help too. Have you or your child’s eyes examined by a doctor to determine the best intervention method?


 

For a consultation with an optometrist, visit the Atlanta Eye Group in Atlanta and Kennesaw, Georgia. You can also call 770-727-0772 to book your appointment.