Myopia Management in Northfield, MN
Myopia is becoming increasingly common among children. According to studies, nearly 30% of the world’s population is affected by myopia, and this number is expected to increase. But there’s good news—we can help safeguard your child’s vision for the future. River Valley Eye Professionals offers advanced myopia management strategies to protect your child’s eyesight and ensure a bright future.
What it Means to be Nearsighted
What it Means to be Nearsighted
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly. Imagine trying to look through binoculars the wrong way around—things in the distance are out of focus. This occurs because the eye shape causes light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
Causes and Risk Factors
Why Your Child Might Develop Myopia
Genetic and environmental factors can cause myopia. Some of the risk factors include:
- Genetics: If one or both parents are nearsighted, their children are more likely to develop myopia.
- Prolonged Near Work: Activities that involve focusing on close objects for extended periods, such as reading, using computers, or spending excessive time on smartphones and tablets, can contribute to myopia development.
- Lack of Outdoor Time: Spending less time outdoors and more time indoors has been linked to an increased risk of myopia.
- Eye Structure: The eye's physical structure can also influence myopia's development. An elongated eyeball or an overly curved cornea can cause light rays to focus in front of the retina.
What You Need to Know
The Importance of Managing Myopia
Previously, we thought that the fundamental problem with myopia was worsening vision and the need for stronger glasses. Recent studies have revealed that there are more serious concerns. Clinical evidence shows that even mild myopia raises the chances of developing severe eye conditions like macular degeneration, retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma. These conditions can ultimately lead to blindness. Taking proactive measures to manage myopia can safeguard your child's long-term eye health and decrease the risk of these severe conditions.
The table below: shows how much more likely you are to develop eye diseases based on the level of myopia, with “x” indicating how many times the risk increases compared to those without myopia.
Here’s What to Look Out For
Does Your Child Need Myopia Management?
As a parent, it’s essential to be aware of the signs that your child might need myopia management. Look out for:
- Frequent squinting to see distant objects clearly
- Sitting very close to the TV or holding books too close to the face
- Rubbing the eyes frequently
- Regular headaches, especially after school or homework
- Trouble seeing the board in the classroom.
Myopia Management at River Valley Eye Professionals
Our personalized myopia management program aims to help safeguard their eyesight and ensure they enjoy a bright future.
We begin with a comprehensive eye exam. These thorough assessments help us keep track of myopia progression and catch any potential issues early. We explain every step of the process so you and your child feel comfortable throughout the exam.
Based on our findings, we offer a range of treatment options:
- Ortho-K (Orthokeratology): These special contact lenses are worn overnight to reshape the cornea, allowing clear vision during the day.
- Multifocal Contact Lenses: These lenses are like multi-tools for your eyes, correcting vision while helping to control myopia progression.
Ongoing Myopia Care and Monitoring
We schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor your child's progress and adjust their treatment plan. Our team is always available to answer your questions and provide guidance, so don’t hesitate to ask. Schedule an appointment with River Valley Eye Professionals. Together, we can help your child see the world more clearly.