Childhood myopia is on the rise. In fact, a World Health Organization study released that nearly half of the world’s population is expected to be nearsighted by 2050. Do you have a child or children who are experiencing signs of nearsightedness? Keep reading for a few tips to learn how to diagnose and treat myopia from the doctors at Eye2Eye.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a vision problem that causes objects close-up to appear clearly and objects far away to appear blurry. This is caused when the shape and length of our eye bends light rays inaccurately. Myopia typically starts to develop in early adolescence, which is why we are seeing more myopia cases in children.

What are the signs of Myopia?

Myopia can be harder to diagnose in children, because they may not recognize or even realize the symptoms as they happen. Some common symptoms of myopia in children include: 

• Squinting when reading or focusing on objects

• Blinking excessively

• Rubbing eyes frequently

• Trouble following along with reading or reading with a finger point

Why is myopia increasing in children?

Thanks to technological advances over the last several decades, we spend more time than ever in front of screens and digital devices. When children spend time looking at digital devices up close, they aren’t focusing on the image properly, which can cause the shape of the eye to change over time. Children with a family history of myopia are more likely to develop this eye disorder, too. 

How to treat myopia in children

Once myopia is diagnosed, it can’t be cured, but it can be managed. Luckily, there are excellent options available to treat myopia in children. The first step is to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with a professional optometrist. Early treatment is key to preventing this eye disorder from advancing to a worse condition over time. During your exam, an optometrist can diagnose your child and discuss treatment options with you. Here are some of the treatments we often recommend for treating myopia in children: 

• Eyeglasses: Corrective eyewear can help slow down the progression of myopia in children. 

• Myopia reduction Contact Lenses: MiSight contact lenses by Coopervision are daily-use lenses designed for children ages 8-12 years old. Studies have shown that these FDA-approved lenses can help decrease myopia progression by 59%. Children also report being more satisfied with daily contact lenses versus glasses, which can be hard to care for at a young age. This daily use of these lenses helps slow down the progression of myopia. 

• Ortho-K overnight lenses: these FDA approved lenses are custom designed based on the shape of your child’s cornea (front part of eye where a contact lens sits). The are intended to wear overnight while your child sleeps, and upon awakening, they are taken out and your child does not need their glasses or contact lenses during the school day or for sports. This needs to be done every evening. This overnight wear helps to slowly reshape the cornea to slow down the progression of myopia. 

Visit Eye2Eye 

Does your child need help with myopia management? Eye2Eye is here to help. Eye2Eye is Alexandria’s go-to for personalized eyecare and eyewear with an emphasis on specialized services such as myopia, custom contact lenses, and dry eyes. Our experienced staff provides honest and comprehensive eye care services to our community using the latest technology and products. We are committed to caring for Everything Eyes ® and look forward to having you visit our clinics. Schedule your appointment request and our patient coordinator will contact you to schedule your visit Eye2Eye through our contact form.