Posted by: Dr. Ramsarat in Myopia
Myopia is a type of refractive error. It causes the eye to be longer than usual from the front to the back. It makes things far away seem blurry. Prescription lenses correct the error and help you see clearly. Having myopia increases your chances of getting cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal detachment.
There is no way to reverse myopia. Hence, the best thing to do is prevent it or slow down its progression. Keeping it from getting worse can protect your eye health in the future, but you’ll have to live with prescription lenses.
When To Start Myopia Management
Ideally, myopia management should start early in childhood. Your child should get their first eye exam between six and twelve months. From there, you should closely monitor them until they are between three to five years. After that, they should go for regular eye exams every two years.
But this is likely not to be the case. Most people will go for their first eye exam when they realize there’s a problem with their vision. It’s then hard to manage myopia at this stage, but all hope is not lost. It is still possible to manage nearsightedness at any age. There are several ways you can do it.
Atropine Eye Drops
Doctors use these eye drops during eye exams to widen your pupils. Low doses of atropine eye drops can help slow down myopia progression in children from two years old. Adults can also use eye drops once a day in addition to bifocal eyeglasses. The bifocals enhance the myopia control effect.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
These are special gas-permeable contact lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea. The treatment is more effective on children than adults since their eyeballs are more malleable. Also, their eyeball is still in the process of elongating. Hence, there is a chance of stopping it and managing their myopia.
Ortho-k lenses are night lenses. It means you wear them at night as you sleep. They flatten the cornea and prevent the eyeball from elongating in children. In adults, they shorten the distance, allowing you to see clearly during the day without the need for prescription contact lenses.
Peripheral Defocus Lenses
These lenses are mainly for children between six and 12 years old. The lenses provide different areas of focus. The center of the lens corrects blurry distance vision. The outer portions of the lens blur or defocus the child’s side vision. Blurring side vision slows eye growth and limits myopia. Adults can use them, but like ortho-k lenses, they are more effective for children.
Multifocal Or Bifocal Lenses
These lenses are a viable alternative to contacts or eye drops, especially in people with esophoria. It appears from time to time. Thus, it is advisable to have a different prescription for distance and near viewing. It also helps with muscle imbalance.
Conclusion
It is ideal to start myopia control when you are young. As you grow older, it becomes harder to control. But it is not impossible, and there are several alternatives you can use.
For more information on starting myopia management, visit Dr. Veronica Ramsarat, OD, at our office in New York, New York. You can call (212) 808-4888 today to schedule an appointment.
