Myopia is a common eye condition that usually starts in childhood. The condition can have detrimental effects on a child’s life. More children are being diagnosed with myopia today than ever before. 

 

Having myopia, or nearsightedness, means that objects at a distance appear blurry, while those that are close appear clear.

 

Causes of Myopia

Several factors can lead to the development of myopia. The condition is usually genetic. Children who have one or both parents with myopia have a high likelihood of developing the condition. 

 

Spending too much time indoors using the computer or reading is another likely cause. Myopia can also result from optical factors as the eyes try to compensate for the condition. The imbalance or weakness of the eye muscles can affect how the eyes work together or focus properly. 

 

Myopia in Young Children

In most cases, the younger a child develops myopia, the faster the vision tends to deteriorate. It can also mean that the condition will be more severe when the child reaches adulthood. 

 

Children who have myopia can find it difficult to participate in school and social activities. Trouble seeing the board can make it hard to keep up with their schoolwork. In many cases, myopia stops worsening when the individual is in their twenties. 

 

Getting Myopia Management 

Myopia management is an important aspect of eye care that aims to slow down the worsening or progression of myopia. When myopia onsets in childhood, it increases the risk of a person developing high myopia. This is especially true when myopia occurs before the child turns 10. 

 

Myopia management usually occurs in childhood and involves the use of techniques to slow disease progression. Myopia management can involve different techniques depending on the situation. It may be achieved using special contact lenses or using atropine eye drops. 

 

When to Start Myopia Management

The best time to start myopia is as soon as possible. Evidence shows that the earlier the child develops myopia, the faster the vision will continue to deteriorate. Without management, the strength of the prescription needed will continue to get stronger. 

 

Myopia management will have the biggest impact if it begins as soon as the diagnosis for myopia is made. Some parents wait because they think that their child is too young to begin myopia management treatments. There is no reason for parents to wait and see if myopia will get worse — chances are, it will. 

 

When to Stop Myopia Management

The best time to stop myopia management is when the child reaches adulthood. According to research, myopia stops getting worse at the age of 16 for about 50 percent of children. This means that for the other 50 percent, myopia continues to worsen with age. 

 

By 18 years, about 75 percent of myopic children will see their condition stabilize. By the age of 21, about 90 percent of individuals will experience stabilization of their myopia. Your eye doctor in Baltimore at Federal Hill Eye Care will come up with the best myopia management strategy for each child depending on age and other factors. 

 

For more on myopia management in children or to schedule an appointment, call Federal Hill Eye Care at our office in Baltimore, Maryland at (410) 752-8208 today.