What Can Be Done For Nearsightedness?
Has your child been diagnosed with myopia, the common vision problem known as nearsightedness? Have you ever wondered what can be done for it aside from glasses and contacts?
Optometrists and researchers alike have been asking that same question for years. Recent studies suggest that it may be possible to control myopia by slowing its progression during the early childhood and teenage years.
Although an outright cure for myopia still eludes us, we can now offer a number of treatment options to curb its progression in young people as their bodies continue to grow and mature.
The ultimate goal of myopia control is to prevent the structural changes which can sometimes lead to serious eye problems later in life. High levels of myopia put your child at greater risk for early cataract development, macular degeneration, and detached retinas aside from the need for thick corrective lenses.
The four most promising myopia control treatments are:
- Multifocal Contact Lenses
- Multifocal Eyeglasses
- Orthokeratology (“Ortho-k”)
- Atropine eye drops
An evaluation is the first step to finding out whether your child could benefit from any of these myopia control treatment options. Our schedule is flexible and Dr. Hopkins will be glad to let you know all of the options available to your child. Let us help you make an informed decision about your child’s treatment plan.