How is Myopia Managed?

What is Myopia?

Myopia is an eye condition that causes one’s vision to become more nearsighted due to the eyeball growing too long. It is a refractive error of the eye that causes distant objects to appear blurred while close-up objects remain clear. This condition typically develops during childhood and can worsen over time if left untreated.

Understanding Myopia

The primary causes of myopia include:

Genetic factors: Children with parents who are nearsighted have a higher risk of developing myopia.
Environmental factors: Prolonged close-up work, such as excessive reading, using digital devices, or studying for long periods, can contribute to the development and progression of myopia.
Lack of outdoor time: Research suggests that spending less time outdoors and more time indoors may increase the risk of myopia.

The common symptoms of myopia include:

Blurred vision when looking at distant objects
The need to squint or strain the eyes to see clearly
Headaches or eye strain after prolonged close-up work
Difficulty with activities that require good distance vision, such as driving or playing sports

The Importance of Regular Eye Exams for Early Detection of Myopia

Regular eye exams are crucial for the early detection and management of myopia. By scheduling routine comprehensive eye exams, you can ensure that any changes in your vision or the development of myopia are identified and addressed promptly.

During an eye exam, your eye doctor will use various tests and tools to measure the refractive power of your eyes and assess the overall health of your eyes. This includes:

Refraction: This test determines the precise refractive error in your eyes, allowing your doctor to prescribe the appropriate corrective lenses.
Slit-lamp examination: This instrument provides a magnified view of your eye, enabling the doctor to check for any signs of eye health issues.
Dilated eye exam: Your doctor can use eye drops to dilate your pupils, allowing them to get a better view of the internal structures of your eyes and detect any early signs of myopia or retinal problems.

By catching myopia early, your eye doctor can work with you to implement effective management strategies and prevent the condition from worsening over time.

Why Myopia Management is Crucial

Myopia is not just a minor vision issue; it can have significant long-term consequences if left untreated. As the degree of myopia increases, the risk of developing sight-threatening eye conditions, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration, also increases. Effective myopia management is essential to:

Slow the progression of myopia and prevent it from worsening
Reduce the risk of developing serious eye health complications
Improve your overall quality of life by maintaining clear and comfortable vision
By taking proactive steps to manage myopia, you can protect your vision and enjoy a lifetime of clear, sharp sight.

Effective Myopia Management Techniques

One of the most promising and effective myopia management techniques is multifocal soft contact lenses, specifically MiSight by Coopervision. These specialized lenses are designed to provide clear vision at multiple distances, while also helping to slow the progression of myopia. Multifocal contact lenses work by creating a subtle change in the way light enters the eye, which can help to reduce the eye's tendency to elongate and develop higher levels of myopia. Studies have shown that children and adolescents who wear multifocal soft contact lenses can experience a significant reduction in myopia progression, with studies reporting a typical slowdown of 59% compared to traditional single-vision lenses. This effect is even greater in those children experiencing rapid myopia progression, demonstrating the treatment is more effective for those in the most need of it.

Another effective myopia management technique involves the use of atropine eye drops. Atropine is a medication used at higher concentrations (1%) for dilation that works by temporarily paralyzing the eye's focusing muscles. It has been repurposed for myopia treatment, and studies have shown that low-dose atropine eye drops (0.01% to 0.1% concentration) can effectively slow the advancement of myopia typically by 60% compared to a placebo. The mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it is believed that it works by blocking the receptors that tell the eyes to elongate during childhood.

Lifestyle Changes for Myopia Management

In addition to medical interventions, there are several lifestyle changes you can make to help manage myopia and prevent its progression:

Encourage Outdoor Time: Increasing the amount of time spent outdoors during daylight hours has been shown to help slow the progression of myopia in children. Aim for at least 2 hours of outdoor activity per day.
Limit Close-up Work: Prolonged close-up activities, such as reading, using digital devices, or playing video games, can contribute to the development and worsening of myopia. Take regular breaks and try to limit these activities to no more than 30 minutes at a time.
Maintain a Healthy Diet: A balanced diet rich in nutrients, with an emphasis on lean meats and vegetables, and fewer sugars and carbohydrates, may help support eye health and potentially slow myopia progression.
By incorporating these lifestyle changes into your daily routine, you can take a proactive approach to managing myopia and protecting your long-term eye health.

Schedule Your Child’s Comprehensive Eye Exam at Vision Solutions Today!

At Vision Solutions, we understand that each child's vision is unique, we develop a personalized myopia management plan tailored to your child's specific needs. Our approach begins with a comprehensive eye examination to assess the current state of your child's vision and identify the progression of myopia. We will consider various factors, such as age, lifestyle, and eye health history, to determine the most effective treatment options. Throughout the process, we work closely with you and your child to monitor progress, adjust the plan as necessary, and ensure that your child receives the best care to protect and preserve their vision for the future.

Take the first step in managing your child’s myopia by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam with our optometrists at Vision Solutions. Visit our office in Lamar (417) 682-3301, Nevada (417) 667-2560, or Webb City (417) 250-2828, Missouri. Call to book an appointment today.