For Your Kids

Reports are showing a rise in myopia worldwide. Children, especially, are showing a higher rate of myopia and at a younger age than ever. Knowing how to spot the signs right away can give your child a chance to control it before it progresses. The right treatment can help them develop into an adult with better eyesight. Have your children’s eyes checked yearly.

MYOPIA, OR NEARSIGHTEDNESS

Also known sometimes as near or short-sightedness, myopia is due to the surface of the eyeball being too steep or the eyeball length too long. This makes the image projected through the lens focus just in front of the retina. Things in close range can be focused on, such as reading, but objects far away are blurry. This condition is progressive, meaning it usually gets worse over time, especially in youngsters.

Signs Your Child Might Have Myopia

Recognizing the signs of myopia is your first step to helping your child.

• Holding books close to their face
• Writing with their head very close to the table or desk
• Sitting too close to the television
• Squinting when looking into the distance
• Regular headaches
• Trouble focusing at school

MYOPIA CONTROL

A diagnosis of myopia no longer means a life of advancing prescriptions. Particularly in children, methods of control have shown that we can slow the progression of this condition. Giving myopic eyes the tools to focus without strain can make all the difference.

Multifocal Lenses to Slow Nearsightedness

Myopia makes focusing on things far away difficult, but the nearby objects can be seen very clearly. When single focus lenses are fitted to a student with myopia, it makes the blackboard clearer but may create strain when trying to read or take notes. Multifocal lenses reduce this exertion by including a gradient of prescription.