Myopia Control In Peoria
Myopia: A Growing Concern
Myopia is increasing at a very high rate around the world. And this upward trend is expected to continue. Today, just over 40% of Americans have myopia, a significant increase from the 25% who were nearsighted in 1971.
By the time the eyes are fully developed, myopia is correctable with glasses or contact lenses, but it’s not curable. High myopia increases the risk of eye emergencies like retinal detachment or the development of glaucoma.
If detected in childhood, myopia can be controlled. At The Bixby Eye Center, we use several methods of myopia control to help set your child up for success. Book an appointment for them today.
What Is Myopia
Also known as nearsightedness, myopia is a refractive error. You likely have some degree of myopia if objects in the distance appear blurry, but close-up objects are clear.
Irregular eye shapes cause light to focus improperly on the retina, leading to blurry vision. Myopia occurs when the eye’s elongated shape causes light to focus in front of the retina rather than on it.
What Causes Myopia?
Myopia development is thought to be genetic. If you have myopia, there is a good chance your children will too. However, recent research reveals that close-up work, like the kind done on computer screens and smartphones, may be a contributing factor as well.
Another study shows that myopia can result from environmental factors, including exposure to sunlight, vitamin D levels, and dopamine levels. The amount of time that children spend outside may have an impact on their propensity to develop myopia. So, send your kids to play in the sunshine to lower their risk of developing myopia.
Whatever the cause, we can help control its progression at The Bixby Eye Center.
Myopia Control Makes Difference
Controlling myopia progression in children can help prevent vision-threatening conditions like retinal detachment and glaucoma. We will examine your child’s eyes and provide a solution tailored to their unique needs.
Here are some of the methods we can employ:
MiSight Contact Lenses
Through a clinical trial over 3 years, the results found that MiSight contact lenses reduced myopia progression by 59%. Children ages 8 to 12 can safely wear these contact lenses to help manage myopia.
Specialty Contact Lenses
Multifocal contact lenses can slow the progression of myopia. The lenses use peripheral defocus technology to prevent the eyes from growing longer.
Children as young as 7 are able to safely wear contacts, and they generally tolerate them well. Multifocal lenses not only slow the progression of myopia, but they correct it as well.
Orthokeratology
Specialty orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lenses can also be worn at night to reshape the cornea. The surface of the cornea is malleable, so when specially fitted lenses are worn to gently reshape it, it holds the new shape throughout the day, correcting vision.
Best results come when the lenses are worn every night. Ortho-k has been shown to slow myopia progression but the lenses need to be consistently worn to see the effects.
Low-Dose Atropine
Atropine eye drops can be effective in reducing myopia progression. Atropine is applied to the eyes once a day and used until myopia stops progressing.
Sometimes, atropine is used alongside multifocal lenses. It’s beneficial for children at high risk for developing serious myopia due to the early onset of nearsightedness.
We Can Help Control & Correct
In adults, myopia can only be corrected, but in children, it can be controlled. Whether you need to see an optometrist for a new pair of glasses, or you need to investigate myopia control methods for your child, we can help.
Request an appointment at The Bixby Eye Center today.
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6807 N. Knoxville Ave.
Peoria, IL 61614
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Phone: 309-692-0000
Fax: 309-692-8082
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