by DANIELA FERNANDEZ, O.D.
I want to tell you about something really important called myopia control. Let’s start with the word myopia. That’s just a fancy word for nearsightedness. If you have myopia, it means you can see things up close really well (like your book or phone) but things far away, like the board in the classroom or the TV, look blurry.
Myopia happens when the eye grows too long from front to back. Because of this, light doesn’t focus in the right spot inside your eye, which makes distant objects look fuzzy. More and more kids are getting myopia today, partly because we spend a lot of time indoors and on screens.
Now, let’s talk about myopia control. This means trying to slow down how quickly your myopia gets worse as you grow. We can’t usually stop myopia completely, but we can help make sure it doesn’t get too strong. Why does that matter? Well, having high myopia can raise your risk of serious eye problems later in life, like retinal detachments or glaucoma. So, it’s important to take care of it early, especially when you’re still growing!
There are several ways we can help control myopia. One way is with special eye drops called atropine. They don’t help you see better right away, but they help slow down the growth of your eye. Another way is using special contact lenses called orthokeratology lenses—or “ortho-K” for short. You wear these while you sleep, and they gently shape your eyes overnight so you can see clearly during the day—without glasses! Some kids also wear soft multifocal contact lenses or special glasses designed to slow myopia.
Some of these treatments are FDA-approved, which means they’ve been officially tested and approved for safety and effectiveness. Others are not FDA-approved yet, but lots of studies show they still work really well and are safe to use. Doctors look at all this research to make the best choices for their patients.
Myopia control works best when we start early. Kids between the ages of 8 and 12 are usually the best candidates for these treatments.
If you think you or your child may have myopia, the best thing to do is visit your local optometrist. They can check your eyes and help decide if you’re a good candidate for myopia control. Together, you, your family, and your doctor can choose the option that’s best!
Taking care of your eyes today means better vision for your future!
This column is sponsored by Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFHN or of its advertisers.
Dr. Daniela Fernandez is a board-certified optometrist who practices at the Sebring location for Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida. She is currently accepting new patients. Call 800-282-3937 or visit us online at eyesfl.com to schedule your next eye care exam.