Myopia is a common eye condition. Its most frequent symptom is nearsightedness, or the inability to see objects clearly at a distance. The reason objects are blurry in the distance with nearsightedness is because the eye becomes longer as the child grows. Myopia typically gets worse over time as your child develops and will stay with your child for life; which can lead to significant risks to eye health later in life, including loss of sight. No level of myopia is safe! This is why annual comprehensive eye examinations are essential for early detection, treatment, and ongoing monitoring for all children.
Research suggests that the increase in children with myopia is related to lifestyle changes including a reduction in time spent outdoors and an increase in near work, like screen time and reading. Other risk factors for myopia in children include parents with myopia and early onset of the disease.
Myopia can worsen over time as children and their eyes grow. For some children, this will mean no more than an occasional need for new glasses or other vision correction. But in others, myopia will progress at a rapid pace, requiring increasingly stronger prescription throughout childhood. This is a condition known as high myopia, categorized by a -5.00D prescription or higher.
Myopia is an inconvenience in childhood. But later in life, it can also be associated with serious eye-health problems, including:
Myopic macular degeneration
Glaucoma
Cataracts
Retinal detachments
Staphylomal
Book your child's exam and speak to one of our Optometrists today. While myopia is an epidemic there are management options available for your child that can slow down the progression of Myopia such as:
Atropine Therapy
Take our survey to assess your child's risk for untreated Myopia by clicking the link below.
Myopia Risk Survey