Seeing Better Than You Have Before

Is There A Treatment For Myopia In Children?

by Linda Bates

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a progressive condition that worsens over time. As a result, your child could need a stronger prescription each year to help slow the progression of the condition. If your eye doctor has diagnosed your child with myopia, here is what you need to know.  

What Is Myopia?

Myopia is a condition that causes your child to have trouble seeing objects that are farther away. When your child's cornea is too curved or the eyeball itself is too long, light that enters his or her eye is not correctly focused. As a result, objects up-close are clear, while those farther off are more difficult to see. 

Unfortunately, the condition can continue to progress until your child reaches adulthood. At that point, the condition becomes more stabilized and the progression slows or stops. Other factors, such as visual stress, can lead to other visual problems though.  

How Is It Treated?

Your child's eye doctor will focus on controlling the condition and slowing its progression. There is no set cure for the condition, but there are a number of treatments available to slow the need for stronger and stronger eyeglasses prescription for your child. 

Orthokeratology is one option available to treat your child's eye condition. Your child will need to wear a special set of contact lenses while sleeping. The lenses work by helping to reshape the cornea, which helps to slow the progression of the condition. 

Depending on the severity of the condition, your child might not be required to wear eyeglasses while awake. 

Another possible treatment for myopia is atropine eye drops. The drops work by relaxing the focusing mechanism of the eye. This is important because myopia is thought to be linked to fatigue of the mechanism. The effects of the drops is short-term though. 

What Can You Do?

One of the most important things you can do to help with your child's condition is to ensure that he or she has a vision checkup as recommended by the eye doctor. The doctor might recommend more frequent checkups because of the condition. 

You also need to watch your child for any signs that the condition has worsened after receiving treatment. For instance, if your child starts to have trouble with seeing the television or other objects from a distance, schedule an eye examination. His or her prescription might need to be adjusted. 

Work with your child's eye doctor (such as one from http://arizonaeyes.net) to ensure his or her myopia is properly treated and controlled. The doctor can provide you with tips that you can use to help your child at home.

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