Vision problems can hamper a child’s development significantly. That’s because, in the early stages of childhood, children learn primarily learn through touching and seeing. One of the most common vision problems in childhood is myopia or nearsightedness.
Myopia Control
Myopia is caused by the lengthening of a child’s eyeballs. Treatment mainly involves slowing this lengthening, which in turn slows the increase of your child’s prescription. We’ve listed some of the popular treatment options below.
Atropine Eye Drops
Although it is usually used to relieve pain from eye inflammation, atropine eye drops are an effective form of myopia control. Some studies have observed that the use of these eye drops can slow myopia progression by as much as 77%.
Multifocal Contacts and Eyeglasses
A recent two-year study found that wearing multifocal lenses can reduce the progression of myopia by 50%. However, there is conflicting evidence about the effectiveness of multifocal eyeglasses. The majority of studies have concluded that multifocal eyeglasses only have a mild effect on myopia progression. But a three-year study provided new contradictory evidence: multifocal eyeglasses can slow myopia progression by 51%.
Given the conflicting medical evidence, it would be better to consult your local eye doctor about whether multifocal eyeglasses or contact lenses are better for your child.
Ortho-K or Corneal Refractive Therapy
However, if your kid refuses to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, ortho-k therapy would be a viable alternative. Kids undergoing corneal refractive therapy wear special contact lenses at night. The lenses help them see clearly during the day even without eyeglasses. To find out which treatment option is the best one for your child, consult your local eye doctor.
Guilford Eye Center offers a wide range of eye care services, including eye exams and LipiFlow® services. To schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained optometrists, call us at (336) 387-6777, or fill out this form. We serve patients in High Point, NC.
