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Are you concerned that your child might be experiencing problems with their vision? Have you noticed them squinting when looking into the distance? They could be developing a common vision condition known as myopia. While myopia isn’t reversible, the good news is that it is manageable. It’s great that you’ve caught it early, as early intervention can make a big difference to your child’s vision. Keep reading to learn what causes myopia, its symptoms, and the options available for myopia control. At Classic Vision Care, we’re dedicated to your child’s eye health and helping them achieve their best vision.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision condition that affects many people—especially children and teens. In fact, nearly 1 in 2 children in the U.S. will develop myopia before they turn 20. Over the past 30 years, it’s become even more widespread among young people, typically showing up between the ages of 6 and 14.

So, what’s happening in the eye? With myopia, the eyeball or parts of the eye like the cornea and lens aren’t quite the right shape, which causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This results in blurry vision when looking at distant objects.

What Are the Different Types of Myopia? 

Myopia comes in two primary forms: simple myopia and pathologic myopia. While both affect how well you see at a distance, they differ in terms of how severe they are and how they progress.

Simple Myopia usually develops during childhood or adolescence and tends to range from mild to moderate. Thankfully, myopia management helps improve long-distance vision, and the condition should stabilize by adulthood.

Pathologic Myopia is rarer, affecting about 3% of the global population. This degenerative form shows up very early in childhood and leads to a significant decline in vision, which is associated with more complications.

What Are the Causes of Myopia or Nearsightedness? 

Several factors can contribute to the development of myopia, particularly in children and teens. Although research is ongoing, these are some of the leading myopia causes:

Genetics 

If you have myopia, your child is at a much higher risk of developing it, too. The risk is significantly higher when both parents are nearsighted.

Education and Close Work

Activities like reading or spending a lot of time focused on close-up tasks have been linked to a higher risk of myopia, especially in children.

Time Outdoors and Light Exposure 

Kids who spend less time outside and don’t get enough exposure to natural light are more likely to develop myopia. Studies show a clear link between outdoor time and lower rates of nearsightedness.

Screen Time

With screens becoming an everyday part of life, excessive screen time has been linked to a greater chance of developing myopia.

What Are the Symptoms of Myopia? 

The most common sign of myopia is blurry or fuzzy vision when looking at distant objects, while nearby objects remain clear. This can lead to eye strain, squinting, and sometimes headaches. In mild cases, you might not notice any symptoms at all. For children, myopia can show up in other ways, like struggling at school, having a shorter attention span, sitting close to the TV, or holding objects (like books or screens) unusually close to their faces.

What Are the Complications Caused by Myopia? 

Myopia causes an increased risk of developing more serious eye conditions later in life. The more severe the myopia, the higher the risk. Potential complications include glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, optic neuropathy, and macular degeneration. These conditions may require treatments like injections or even surgery and can have a significant impact on vision. Report any changes in vision to your doctor immediately.

How To Treat Myopia 

Most cases of myopia are mild and can be easily managed, though it’s important to remember that myopia can’t be cured or reversed. However, you can slow its progression and prevent it from worsening. At Classic Vision Care, we offer a variety of myopia control options tailored to different age groups. Call us today to discuss the best plan for your child.

Here are some of the myopia management options we provide:

Multifocal Contact Lenses: These lenses offer multiple prescriptions in one lens, giving clear vision at different distances.

Misight® 1 Day Lenses: Soft, disposable lenses designed for children, worn during the day for comfortable, clear vision.

Paragon® Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT): A specialized overnight treatment (also known as ortho-k) where custom lenses gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, providing better vision during the day without wearing glasses or contacts.

Atropine Eye Drops: A less invasive, overnight option to help slow down myopia progression by relaxing the eye. These drops are often combined with other treatments for the best results.

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can myopia be prevented? 

While you can’t change genetic factors, you can encourage habits that help protect against developing myopia. Encourage your child to spend more time outside, limit screen time, take regular breaks from up-close work such as reading or using devices, and avoid working in dim light.

What is the difference between myopia and astigmatism?

Both involve misshapen eye structures, but they affect vision differently. Myopia causes blurry distance vision, while astigmatism results in blurry vision at all distances.

Does myopia get worse with age? 

Myopia usually stabilizes by the age of 18, but it often worsens during childhood and adolescence as the eyes grow. Early myopia management can help slow this progression.

Is myopia hereditary?

Yes, there’s a strong genetic link. Children with one or both parents who have myopia are at a higher risk of developing it themselves.