Orange Beach, AL
LASIK Consultation &
Co-Management
Orange County, AL
LASIK CONSULTATION & CO-MANAGEMENT
Myopia is on the rise around the world, especially among children. If your child has myopia, also known as nearsightedness, you might be worried about their vision and how it may change over time. Myopia is a vision problem where close-up objects appear clear while things farther away look blurry. This happens because the eye grows too long from back to front, or the cornea is too curved. As a result, light entering the eye doesn’t focus properly on the retina, causing blurry vision when looking at distant objects.
Myopia often begins in childhood and can worsen as your child grows. While there isn’t a cure for myopia, treatment can slow its progression. Our highly trained eye doctor, Dr. Wilder, provides myopia management in Orange Beach, AL to ensure your child enjoys clear vision now and in the future.
Causes of myopia
The exact cause of myopia is unknown, but it may be hereditary. If one or both parents are nearsighted, their children have a higher likelihood of developing myopia as well. However, genetics alone does not determine whether a person will develop myopia; environmental factors also play a significant role. Spending excessive time on close-up activities, such as reading, writing, or using digital devices, can increase the risk of developing myopia. Lack of outdoor activity is another factor linked to myopia development. Research suggests that children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to develop myopia.
Why is myopia management important?
Good vision is essential for a child’s learning and development. Poor eyesight can make it hard for children to see clearly in school, leading to difficulties with reading, writing, and comprehension. This not only affects their academic performance but can also impact their social development, sometimes resulting in misdiagnoses of behavioral issues.
Myopia can also impact language and speech development. Clear vision is crucial for observing facial expressions and watching lips move, both of which are important for learning how to speak. When a child struggles to see clearly, it can delay their ability to develop these critical skills.
Slowing myopia progression is important because high levels of myopia can lead to more serious eye conditions later in life. The higher the degree of myopia, the greater the risk of developing complications such as retinal detachment, cataracts, and open-angle glaucoma. By managing myopia early, we can reduce these risks and help protect long-term vision health.
How we help manage myopia
At Coastal Family Eyecare, we offer advanced tools to help manage myopia progression in children:
Ortho-k
Orthokeratology lenses (ortho-k) are customized contact lenses that gently reshape the eye overnight, so your child can enjoy clear vision the following day without needing glasses or daytime contact lenses. Studies have shown that these lenses can help stop myopia progression in children and teenagers, reducing the risk of eye diseases in adulthood.
Multifocal contact lenses
Multifocal soft contact lenses are another effective solution for controlling myopia. Studies have shown that wearing these lenses slows myopia progression by approximately 30% per year in children between 8-12.
Schedule an eye exam today in Orange Beach
If you’re worried about your child’s myopia, schedule an appointment with us today. Dr. Wilder will evaluate your child’s eye health and discuss the best management strategies for their needs.