Myopia, better known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, is an eye condition that can negatively impact a child’s life. It can interfere with daily activities, schoolwork, and sports, making it difficult to enjoy the things other children love to do. Even worse, untreated myopia worsens as the child ages.

Understanding Myopia

Myopia causes distant objects to appear out of focus or blurry. Your child may complain that it’s not easy to read clearly when he or she looks at the television, the board in the classroom, or the clock a few distances away. Millions of children and adults around the world are affected by this condition. In the U.S. alone, more than 30% of the population suffers from this disease.

This eye condition is usually hereditary. It often starts in childhood at the age of four, which is the time when the eyes start growing quickly. Myopia often gets worse as the child grows into a teen. Corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses can help treat myopia, but you must spot the signs your child is myopic early on for the possibility of slowing it down.

Signs of Myopia

The most obvious sign that your child may have myopia is if they can’t see the details of faraway objects. It can be difficult to know with children, but if you notice them sitting closer to the board, movie screen, or TV, it could be a sign they are myopic. Lack of interest in activities or sports where distance is required could also be a sign.
 

Other signs that your child may be nearsighted include:
 

• Always frowning or squinting

• Getting frequent headaches

• Holding things like books close to the face

Complications of Myopia in Children

Shortsightedness in children has various complications. For one, blurred vision makes it difficult for a child to perform well in school or sports. However, the worst is the risk of serious vision problems. Myopic children are at a greater risk of having or developing glaucoma, premature cataracts, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration.

Myopia Consultation

If you suspect your child is myopic, you and your child should meet with a pediatric optometrist for an assessment. The consultation usually involves a review of the eye history of the family since this condition is typically hereditary. The eye doctor will also review the environmental factors that could be contributors to your child’s nearsightedness.

Eye Exam

After the consultation, your child will undergo an eye exam to test their eye health and visual acuity. This will help determine if they are suitable for treatment to slow down the progression of their myopia. The exam usually includes eye measurements, a 3D map of the cornea, and some retinal photos, all of which help determine your child’s prescription.

Treatment

There are various treatments available for myopic children. One is for them to use multifocal soft contact lenses to slow down eye elongation. Another treatment is a low-dose prescription eye drop for children who don’t want to use contact lenses. The eye drop is given to the child before they go to bed and will ideally slow down myopia.

If you want to know whether your child is myopic, schedule an appointment at Today’s Vision in San Antonio, Texas by calling (210) 307-4749.