Myopia Management

More Information on How to Diagnose and Treat Myopia

 

 

What Is Myopia?

  • Myopia (also called nearsightedness or short-sightedness) is a progressive vision condition that causes blurred distance vision
  • Myopia involves elongation of the eyeball, which affects how light focuses on the retina.
  • This physical change in the eye increases the lifetime risk of serious eye conditions, such as:
    • Retinal detachment
    • Glaucoma
    • Cataracts
    • Myopic macular degeneration

Myopia is now recognized as one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness worldwide.

Risk Factors for Myopia Onset and Progression

Children and teens with the following risk factors are more likely to develop progressive myopia:

  • Age of Onset: Diagnosed with myopia at age 9 or younger
  • Family History: Parents, grandparents, or siblings with myopia
  • Rate of Progression: Vision worsening by -1.00 diopter or more per year
  • Ethnicity: Higher prevalence in children of Asian heritage
  • Near Work: Spending 2 hours or more per day on close-up activities (reading, screen time, homework)
  • Outdoor Time: Spending less than 2 hours per day outdoors in natural light

What Is Myopia Management?

  • Myopia management includes evidence-based treatments designed to slow the progression of myopia, protecting your child’s long-term eye health.
  • These treatments go beyond standard glasses by addressing how the eye grows and changes over time.
  • Proven treatment options include:
    • Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Custom lenses worn overnight to reshape the cornea and allow clear vision without glasses during the day.
    • Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses: Special daytime lenses that help reduce eye strain and control myopia progression.
    • Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops: A once-nightly drop that has been shown to safely and effectively slow myopia progression.

Dr. Cheryl Chapman’s Myopia Management Blog

Want more information on what Myopia Management is and why it is important for your child’s eye health? Check out the links below to read Dr. Chapman’s blogs on Myopia Management and what Gretna Vision Source can do for your child.

What is Myopia or Nearsightedness

Paragon CRT Contact Lenses

How to Insert Contact Lenses