Myopia

Myopia, commonly known as "nearsightedness", is an increasingly common condition where distant objects appear blurry while close objects are seen clearly. This occurs when the eye's shape causes light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. If you or your child’s pediatrician are concerned about myopia in your child, highly skilled pediatric ophthalmologist, Elena Nguyen, MD, at ENvision Eye Care in Foster City, California, offers expert diagnosis and treatment of myopia.  Call ENvision Eye Care or request an appointment online today for an myopia evaluation.

What causes myopia?

Myopia typically develops in childhood and can progress as the child grows. Factors contributing to myopia include:

• Genetics: Children with myopic parents are at a higher risk.

• Environmental Factors: Extended near work activities, such as reading or screen time, and limited outdoor exposure may increase the likelihood of developing myopia.

What are symptoms of myopia?

Children with myopia may exhibit signs such as:

• Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly

• Squinting or closing one eye to see better

• Frequent eye rubbing

• Complaints of headaches or eye strain

How is myopia diagnosed?

A comprehensive eye examination is essential to diagnose myopia. This includes assessing visual acuity and performing a dilated eye exam with a refraction test to determine the degree of nearsightedness.

What are the treatment options for myopia?

Managing myopia focuses on correcting vision and slowing its progression:

• Corrective Lenses: Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses help refocus light onto the retina, providing clear distance vision.  Dr. Nguyen can prescribe a glasses prescription or refer patients to an optometrist for a contact lens fitting.

• Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine drops have been shown to slow myopia progression in children. Studies like ATOM1 and ATOM2 demonstrated that 0.01% atropine effectively reduces myopia progression with minimal side effects.

  PubMed

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Specialized contact lenses worn overnight temporarily reshape the cornea, allowing clear vision during the day without lenses.  Dr. Nguyen does not offer this service but can refer patients to a specially-trained optometrist who does.

• Increased Outdoor Time: Encouraging children to spend more time outdoors has been associated with a reduced risk of developing myopia.

How is high myopia managed?

High myopia, defined as nearsightedness of -6.00 diopters or more, increases the risk of serious eye conditions such as retinal detachment and glaucoma. Regular eye examinations are crucial for early detection and management of potential complications.

If you have concerns about myopia in your child, schedule an eye exam with Dr. Elena Nguyen at ENvision Eye Care. Call our office or book an appointment online today.