Nearsightedness is when you struggle to read signs or see objects clearly from a distance, but up close, the world is clear. Nearsightedness is becoming increasingly common and usually develops in childhood, making regular children’s eye exams important for early diagnosis and treatment.
Single-vision glasses and contact lenses can correct nearsightedness for vision clarity. However, to slow its progression, treatment options include peripheral defocus eyeglasses and specialized contact lenses.
What Is Nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness or myopia is a common refractive error that occurs because the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved. An irregular-shaped eye causes the light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye) rather than directly on it. The result is distant objects appear blurry while nearby objects remain clear.
Risk factors for nearsightedness are genetic and environmental. Children with both parents being nearsighted are at a higher risk of developing the condition and having it progress faster.. Near-focused work, such as digital screens and reading, can also increase the risk.
Whether it is trouble seeing signs, squinting to make out what is on the board at school, or feeling frustration at the movie theatre, nearsightedness can significantly affect a child’s day-to-day life.
How to Diagnose Nearsightedness?
A children’s eye exam can diagnose nearsightedness and determine the right prescription. During the exam, your eye doctor will conduct various tests to determine if you have nearsightedness and its severity.
Your child should have regular eye exams at the following frequencies:
- An eye exam at 3 years old
- Annual eye exams from kindergarten to age 18
Types of Lenses to Correct Nearsightedness
Corrective lenses adjust how light enters your eyes, helping it focus directly on the retina for vision clarity. Here are the main types of lenses used to correct nearsightedness.
Glasses
Glasses are the most common and accessible way to correct nearsightedness. Lenses for nearsightedness are concave, meaning they are thinner in the center and thicker at the edges. The concave shape helps diverge light before it enters the eye, correcting the focus.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses sit directly on the eye’s surface and achieve the same effect as glasses but without frames. They come in soft and rigid (hard) forms, offering different levels of comfort and vision clarity. With the help of a contact lens exam, you can find a contact lens type based on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and comfort.
Specialized Lenses for Myopia Progression
Nearsightedness can progress as a child grows because the eye also grows in length, leading to high myopia and the need for a higher prescription. High or severe myopia can increase a child’s risk of developing sight-threatening vision conditions later in life, such as:
- Retinal detachments
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Myopic maculopathy
For these reasons, it is important to slow myopia progression. While glasses and contact lenses can correct nearsightedness and provide better vision, they can not prevent progression. Treatment options with the following specialized lenses can help slow the rate of myopia progression in children.
Peripheral Myopic Defocus Glasses & Contact Lenses
Specialized glasses and contact lenses with a peripheral myopic defocus design have different power zones, full focusing power in the center and less focusing power in the periphery. The low power on the periphery makes sure light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina, which helps stop the eye from growing longer and slows myopia progression.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-k) Lenses
Ortho-k are specialized rigid gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight that gently reshape the cornea (the clear front layer of the eye) and create a peripheral myopic defocus to slow myopia progression. Ortho-k lenses offer temporary vision correction, so you can go without wearing glasses or contact lenses during the day.
Eye Drops for Myopia Control
Atropine eye drops are commonly used to dilate the pupils but can slow down myopia progression. While it is not clear how atropine eye drops help slow myopia progression in children, research shows it works by affecting certain receptors in the eye. This treatment option can be ideal for younger children or children not comfortable wearing contact lenses or ortho-k lenses.
Personalized Myopia Treatment & Management
Children may not be aware that they have a vision problem and assume everyone sees the way they do. Early detection and treatment are vital to protect their vision and prevent serious vision issues later in life.
If your child shows signs or symptoms, such as eye rubbing, headaches, or sitting too close to the TV, book an appointment with Chestermere Optometry today. Our eye doctors can work with them to determine a personalized treatment option to improve their vision and quality of life.
