Myopia Management
Our experienced eye doctors at Primary Eye Care of Arlington and South Main have the expertise and clinical experience to diagnose and manage myopia in children and adults. Using advanced myopia management strategies, we can help slow myopia progression, protecting long-term vision and lowering the risk of future eye complications.
What is myopia?
Also known as nearsightedness, myopia is a common vision condition where nearby objects appear clear, but distant objects look blurry. Myopia occurs when the cornea (the front surface of the eye) curves too steeply or the eyeball is longer than normal. When this happens, light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it, causing blurry distance vision.
Myopia can be inherited, so if one or both parents have myopia, then their child may have it, too. Myopia is often diagnosed in children between the ages of 8 and 12.¹ When this happens, myopia can be progressive, meaning it worsens as the child ages and grows throughout the teenage years.
There are three types of myopia: low, moderate, and high.
Low myopia
Low myopia, classified as “mild,” refers to an eyeglasses prescription of -3.00 diopters of myopia or less. People with low myopia can often do close-up tasks without glasses but will need them for driving or seeing distant objects clearly.
Moderate myopia
Moderate myopia means the prescription for eyeglasses is anywhere between -3.00 to -6.00 diopters of myopia.
High myopia
Known as “severe” myopia, high myopia means the prescription for eyeglasses is over -6.00 diopters of myopia. People who have moderate to high myopia will need to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses all the time, since they may only be able to see objects very close to their faces.
If you don’t have myopia, it can be hard to imagine what the world looks like for people with myopia. To see what the world looks like for people with low, moderate, and high myopia, look at this myopia simulator.
Treating progressive myopia
When children are diagnosed with myopia, they are usually prescribed eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct their vision.
In many cases, myopia continues to progress as the child grows because the shape of the eyeball changes, affecting their eyesight. Children with progressive myopia may experience eye strain, blurred vision, headaches, and fatigue, especially after focusing on distant objects for long periods.
People who have myopia are at a higher risk of developing serious eye conditions and diseases later in life, including a detached retina, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.² Due to the negative impact myopia has on eye health and quality of life, it’s important to get regular eye exams to screen for myopia.
At Primary Eye Care of Arlington and South Main, we will create a customized treatment plan for patients with progressive myopia. We may recommend MiSight® 1-day soft contact lenses, FDA-approved to slow the progression of myopia in children ages 8–12.
Watch the video to learn more about myopia and MiSight® 1-day soft contact lenses.
“When I was a kid, I did not have a choice but to get thicker glasses so that I could see better in the classroom. Today, we are seeing kids who are younger and more nearsighted than their parents were at their age. We now have ways to slow down the progression of the change that happens when we grow. This is exciting, as more treatments are getting FDA authorization, and it helps that our kids won’t have to keep getting thicker glasses to see better.”
— Dr. Nanji
Managing myopia
The first step to managing myopia is to visit our Arlington or Memphis location for a comprehensive eye exam or pediatric eye exam.
Our optometrist will conduct a series of tests to examine your eyes or your child’s eyes, assess overall eye health, and screen for myopia. If myopia is detected, your doctor will explain the best treatment options to correct vision and help slow its progression.
Are you interested in learning more about myopia management? Schedule an eye exam at Primary Eye Care of Arlington and South Main and let us know you want to learn more about myopia management. Our expert eye doctors and team will help you find the right solution for your needs or your child’s needs and support you in your pursuit of optimal eye health.
References:
1. Nearsightedness: what is myopia? aao.org
2. Myopia control in children. aao.org