Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error of the eye where distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen. It occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is too curved. It's quite common, especially among children and young adults, and its prevalence has been increasing in recent years.
Does my child have a higher chance of developing myopia if one or both parents also have it?
Yes, having one parent with myopia will increase the child’s chance by 18%, and having both parents with myopia will double that. If there is a family history of myopia we highly recommend starting eye exams early for your child.
What can I do to monitor the progression of myopia?
Having regular eye exams is the most important thing you can do to check for myopia and overall eye health. Our doctors will recommend a follow up schedule based on family history and the current age of the patient. In addition, we offer axial length measurement with LENSTAR technology, which is another important indicator for monitoring and predicting future progression of myopia.
What are the current available treatments for myopia progression?
Current treatments available to slow down myopia include myopia control spectacle lenses, myopia control contact lenses, ortho-keratology, and atropine. Our doctors may recommend one or a combination of these based on each individual case. Studies have shown these treatments will reduce progression on average of 50-60%, sometimes halting it altogether.
Is there anything I can do before my child develops myopia?
Yes! Best thing to do to reduce chances of myopia before it develops is to spend more outdoor time on a regular basis. Reduced time on screens such as tablets and phones will also help.
Written by: Dr. Anny Wang
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