Slow the Progression

At Coast Optometry, we have dedicated ourselves to slowing the progression of myopia, a refractive error that commonly begins in childhood.

Myopia occurs when the shape of the eye causes light rays to bend incorrectly (known as a refractive error), focusing images in front of the retina rather than on it. Usually referred to as nearsightedness, it results in distant objects appearing blurry or out of focus.

Experts have not determined the exact cause of myopia, but it may be due to a combination of genetics and individual lifestyle.

If you have concerns about myopia and how it affects your children, please contact us today.

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Children & Myopia

Children’s eyes develop quickly in their early years, and myopia generally occurs between the ages of 6 and 12.

A younger child (around ages 6 to 8) who develops myopia has a higher risk of developing high myopia. High myopia can result in a wide variety of vision problems, including cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal tears.

Symptoms of myopia include:

Persistent squinting
Needing to sit closer to the television, movie screen, or the front of the classroom
Appearing unaware of distant objects
Excessive blinking
Frequent eye rubbing

Myopia Control for Children

At Coast Optometry, we can slow myopia using various methods of myopia control.

Atropine Eye Drops

Experts have discovered that a low dose of atropine drops effectively slows myopia progression while the eyes are still growing.

Corneal Reshaping Contact Lenses

Corneal reshaping contact lenses are gas permeable contact lenses worn overnight to reshape the cornea into the ideal shape. The reshaping helps light focus on your child’s retina correctly, providing them with clear vision during the day without glasses or contact lenses.

These lenses are also effective at slowing myopia in children by 36% to 56%.

Peripheral Defocus Contact Lenses

Peripheral defocus contact lenses are multifocal contact lenses with various rings creating peripheral defocus. The center area of the lens provides distance vision correction while the rings outside the center blur the peripheral vision.

Blurring peripheral vision is thought to slow eye growth in children, limiting the progression of myopia.

We Can Help with Myopia

Myopia is a lifelong condition, but many effective treatments are available to slow its progression in children and prevent high myopia. At Coast Optometry, our goal is to work closely with your family to maintain your child’s visual health.

Please call us today for more information about myopia. We can work together to ensure your family’s eyes are happy and healthy for many years.

Book Appointment

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