Myopia Management

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a prevalent vision condition that affects a growing number of children worldwide. As a parent, understanding myopia and the importance of proactive management is crucial for safeguarding your child's vision and overall eye health. At Swan City Eye Care, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive myopia management solutions to help you take control of your child's visual development.

What is Myopia and Why is it a Concern for Children?

Myopia is a refractive error in which the eye focuses light in front of the retina, resulting in blurred distance vision. This condition typically begins in childhood and can progress rapidly, leading to higher levels of nearsightedness over time. Untreated myopia not only impacts your child's daily activities, such as reading, sports, and classroom learning, but also increases the risk of developing sight-threatening eye conditions later in life.

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Myopia in Children

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of myopia in your child is the first step towards seeking professional care. Some common indicators include:

• Squinting or struggling to see distant objects clearly
• Frequent headaches or eye strain after prolonged close-up work
• Sitting too close to the television or computer screen
• Avoiding activities that require good distance vision

The Importance of Early Detection and Diagnosis

Regular eye examinations are crucial for the early detection and diagnosis of myopia in children. A comprehensive pediatric eye exam can effectively detect myopia by thoroughly assessing their vision and eye health. During the exam, Dr. Garibay measures your child's visual acuity, checks for refractive errors, and evaluates how well their eyes focus and work together, identifying any signs of myopia early on for timely intervention.

It is recommended that children have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months of age, followed by additional exams at 3 years old, 5 years old, and then annually thereafter. These examinations not only identify vision problems but also provide an opportunity for timely intervention and the implementation of effective myopia management strategies.

Myopia Management at Swan City Eye Care

Early treatment can help slow the progression of myopia, reducing the risk of associated complications such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy later in life. By managing myopia effectively, we can help preserve long-term eye health, enhance quality of life, and reduce the need for stronger prescription lenses.

At Swan City Eye Care, we understand the unique challenges that come with managing myopia in children. Dr. Garibay is dedicated to providing personalized solutions to help you and your child take control of their visual development.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

Orthokeratology, commonly known as Ortho-K, is a non-surgical treatment for myopia management that involves wearing specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses overnight. These lenses gently reshape the cornea while you sleep, temporarily correcting nearsightedness so you can see clearly during the day without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses. Ortho-K is particularly effective for children and teens, helping to slow the progression of myopia as they grow. This treatment offers a safe and reversible option for managing myopia and reducing the risk of developing severe vision problems later in life.

MiSight Soft Contact Lenses

MiSight contact lenses are another groundbreaking solution for managing myopia. These daily disposable lenses are specifically designed to slow the progression of myopia by using innovative dual-focus technology. While one part of the lens corrects vision, the other creates a treatment zone that helps to reduce the eye's tendency to elongate, a key factor in myopia progression. Studies have shown that children wearing MiSight lenses experience significantly less myopia progression compared to those using traditional lenses, making them a valuable tool for preserving long-term eye health and reducing the risk of future vision complications. Comfortable and easy to use, MiSight lenses offer a practical and effective option for parents seeking to protect their child's vision.

Atropine Eye Drops

Atropine eye drops are increasingly being used as an effective treatment for managing myopia. By dilating the pupils and temporarily relaxing the eye's focusing mechanism, atropine reduces the eye's tendency to elongate. Low-dose atropine has been shown to slow down the rate of myopia progression with minimal side effects, making it a safe and practical option. This treatment can be an essential part of a comprehensive myopia management plan, helping to reduce the risk of future eye health complications associated with severe myopia.

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam with Swan City Eye Care Today

At Swan City Eye Care, we are dedicated to providing myopia management tailored to the unique needs of every patient. Our comprehensive approach combines cutting-edge technology, personalized treatment plans, and compassionate care to effectively slow the progression of myopia in children. We stay at the forefront of advancements in the field, offering proven methods like Orthokeratology, MiSight soft contact lenses, and atropine eye drops.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Alexander Garibay at Swan City Eye Care today to learn more about our myopia management services and how we can help your child see their best.