Myopia Management
Myopia is the medical term for nearsightedness, a vision problem that makes it difficult t see images far away. By the year 2050, researchers estimate a seven-fold increase in the condition. Control of myopia is available at Total Family Eyecare in Boca Raton, Florida. You’ll receive evaluation of your degree of myopia and corrective treatment for myopia control, so your vision can be clearer and sharper. Call the office or schedule an appointment online if you’re struggling to see things at a distance.
Myopia Management Q & A
Why do some people develop myopia?
Myopia is usually caused when the eye is too long from front to back, has an overly curved cornea, or the lens is too thick. Genetics often determines whether you’ll develop myopia but environmental factors, like increased near work, tablet time and less time outdoors can also add to the progression of myopia.
If one parent has myopia, the child has a three times greater risk for being nearsighted and if both parents are myopic, the child has a 5-6 times great risk of being nearsighted.
What are the complications of myopia?
High levels of myopia or nearsightedness can progress rapidly in the formative years and is associated with complications including:
- Retinal detachment
- Myopic macular degeneration
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
These complications can appear as children enter adulthood.
When should I suspect myopia?
Symptoms of myopia include seeing items close-up just fine — crystal clear, in fact — but seeing things far away as blurry and lacking in definition. You may notice your nearsightedness most at night, especially when driving at night. Strained vision can cause you to experience headaches and eyestrain.
With current treatments available the progression of myopia, if caught early, can be slowed down by 50-80%, depending on the treatment plan selected. Most myopic progression happens in our early school years between the ages of 7-14 years old. Children should have their eyes examined at 6 months old, 2 years old and every year after to monitor for the start of myopia and to intervene as soon as possible to help slow down the progression. Most kids do not know they can’t see things like they should so it is important to get them evaluated early on and continue to monitor for myopia or other eye conditions that can affect their development.
How is myopia managed?
Our team at Total Family Eyecare specializes in myopia control and management to help slow the progression of myopia in children. It is important to keep your glasses up to date, as wearing an old, under-corrected prescription can actually cause myopia to progress more rapidly, especially in children. There are currently three types of treatment offered to help control myopic progression to help children from needing stronger and stronger glasses. These treatments may be combined if progression is happening more rapidly.
- Low dose atropine eyedrops, offered by prescription only. There are different doses the doctor will choose depending on the degree of myopia which are atropine 0.01%, 0.025% and 0.05%
- MiSight soft multifocal contact lenses which refocus the light to different places in the retina.
- Orthokeratology, commonly called ortho-k, is a process that gently reshapes the front part of the eye (the cornea) while you sleep. During waking hours there is no need for day time contact lenses or glasses. Ask Dr. Sheiner about this simple way to say goodbye to glasses and contacts during the day.
Are contact lenses safe for children?
Contact lens wear is safe for children. At Total Family Eyecare we make sure your child is trained on how to handle and care for their lenses so problems do not arise. Dr. Sheiner began wearing contact lenses in seventh grade and is passionate about helping young kids see and feel their best.
Total Family Eyecare was the first practice in Boca Raton to offer the FDA approved lenses for myopia management in kids through MiSight Contact Lenses which are FDA approved for wear between the ages of 8-12 years old.
If you or your child is nearsighted, or myopic, call Total Family Eyecare for an evaluation and a treatment plan, or make an appointment using the online tool.
