If your little one is squinting at the board at school or struggling with blurry vision, they might be dealing with myopia or nearsightedness. Myopia is a common issue that often starts in childhood, and starting treatment early ensures your child has clear vision now and in the future. Learn why starting myopia management early is important and what you can do to help your child see clearly and stay healthy. 

What is myopia? 

Myopia happens when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing distant objects to look blurry while close-up vision remains clear. This condition often begins in childhood and can get worse as your child’s eyes continue to develop. Myopia can progress rapidly without proper management, leading to frequent prescription updates and potentially increasing the risk of more serious eye problems in the future. 

Why early myopia management is crucial 

Addressing myopia early is crucial for slowing or even stopping its progression. If left untreated, myopia often worsens over time, leading to stronger prescriptions and a greater risk of severe myopia. High myopia can increase the likelihood of serious eye problems in the future, such as retinal detachment and glaucoma. By managing myopia early on, you can help lower the chances of these complications and protect your child’s eye health as they grow. 

Myopia management also improves your child’s quality of life by providing clearer vision and reducing eye strain. This leads to happier, more confident children and fewer struggles at school. 

Myopia management at Chagrin Valley Optometrists 

At Chagrin Valley Optometrists, we offer myopia management in Chagrin Falls to help manage myopia in children and protect their long-term eye health. We provide several myopia management options: 

• Ortho-k (orthokeratology): With ortho-k, your child wears special contact lenses overnight that gently reshape the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye). In the morning, they take out their contact lenses and can see clearly all day without needing glasses or daytime contacts. This treatment also helps slow myopia progression. 

• Low dose atropine eye drops: Low dose atropine eye drops are a well-researched option for managing myopia. These drops are used in small doses daily and have been shown to effectively slow down myopia progression in children. 

• MiSight® 1 day contact lenses: MiSight® 1 day contact lenses are specifically designed to help manage myopia in children. These daily disposable lenses feature a unique design that helps slow the progression of myopia while providing clear vision. Since they are only worn for one day before discarding, there is no need to store or clean the lenses, making them a convenient option for children.  

Choosing the right option for your child 

The best myopia management option for your child will depend on their specific needs, lifestyle, and preferences. At Chagrin Valley Optometrists, we work closely with you and your child to understand your goals and choose the most suitable treatment. We provide personalized care to help manage myopia effectively and ensure your child feels comfortable with their treatment.  

If you’re concerned about your child’s vision or want to explore myopia management options, we’re here to help. Schedule an appointment today and find out how early intervention can help protect your child’s vision.