Every parent wants their child to excel in all areas of life, and maintaining healthy vision is key to that success. When a child has vision problems, such as myopia, it can impact their learning, confidence, and development.
In this blog, we will discuss the causes of myopia, also more commonly known as short-sightedness, its contributing factors and outline the myopia management solutions available at our practice.
What is myopia?
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is a vision condition where close objects appear clear, but distant objects become blurry. This is due to the eye growing too long or the cornea becoming too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of on it. Its prevalence is increasing among children, and understanding this condition is the first step to supporting your child’s eye health.
What causes short-sightedness?
Several factors contribute to the development of short-sightedness, with genetics playing a significant role. If both parents have myopia, there is a 50% chance your child will develop the condition. But it isn’t just about family history. Our modern lifestyle is changing how children’s eyes develop.
Prolonged near-focus on tasks such as school work and using digital devices can cause the eyeball to elongate, which is how myopia develops. When children spend more time outdoors, their eyes regularly switch between near and far vision, which helps them to develop healthily.
Spotting the signs
How can you tell if your child might be experiencing short-sightedness? Watch out for these tell-tale indicators:
- squinting to see distant objects clearly
- moving closer to screens or whiteboards
- holding books or devices unusually close to their face
- complaining of headaches or eye strain
- seeming unaware of distant objects or signs
- frequent eye rubbing.
These subtle clues could indicate it’s time for an eye examination.
Innovative myopia management
If you think your child has myopia, don’t worry. Our practice offers cutting-edge solutions to slow myopia progression:
Ortho-K Lenses
These revolutionary overnight contact lenses gently reshape the surface of your child’s eyes (corneas) while they sleep, helping to provide clear daytime vision without the need for daytime eyewear.
MiYOSMART Spectacle Lenses
Designed with special technology that helps control myopia progression, these glasses for short sightedness look like regular glasses but quietly work extraordinary magic. Their unique lens design slows down elongation of the eye while your child is wearing them.
MiSight Contact Lenses
Specifically designed for children, these daily disposable contact lenses not only correct vision but also actively work to slow myopia progression. MiSight contact lenses use concentric rings that gently focus light in a way that helps reduce the eye’s natural growth, slowing down the progression of short-sightedness.
Early intervention matters
Regular eye exams are so important, especially for kids. Spotting short-sightedness early means we can help keep your child’s eyesight healthy for years to come. Our friendly optometrists will work with you to create a personalised treatment plan to slow the progression of the condition and make sure your child sees clearly every step of the way.
Take the first step by booking a comprehensive eye examination at our opticians in Potters Bar today.
