As the new school year begins, safeguarding your child's vision is crucial for their academic success and well-being. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly common among children worldwide, making early detection and treatment essential.
At The Eye Center, we provide comprehensive eye care solutions to help manage myopia and support your child's vision as they grow.
Understanding Myopia: Is Your Child Affected?
Myopia is a common vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while close objects are clear. It happens when the eyeball is too long or the cornea has too much curvature, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
Myopia typically starts in childhood and can progress rapidly, especially during school years when children engage in extensive close-up activities like reading and using digital devices.
Common symptoms to look out for are:
- Struggling to see the whiteboard in class
- Trouble playing sports due to vision issues
- Complaining about frequent headaches or eye strain
The Importance of Pediatric Eye Exams
Eye exams are essential for identifying vision problems early and ensuring children receive treatment. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that children have an eye exam just before they start school. This is typically around age five or six. After that, school-aged children should have an eye exam every two years.
Furthermore, detecting myopia early through regular pediatric eye exams is vital. This helps prevent these issues from affecting their learning and development.
Understanding Myopia Control Treatments
Managing myopia can significantly improve your child's quality of life. The Eye Center offers the following treatments to curb myopia and help children succeed in school.
MiSight® Contact Lenses
These special contact lenses by CooperVision provide clear vision and help children with myopia. These daily disposable lenses slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8-12. MiSight® lenses work by altering how light focuses on the retina, helping to reduce the eye's elongation.
Atropine Eye Drops
Atropine eye drops are another effective treatment for controlling myopia progression. Apply low-dose atropine drops once daily to slow the progression of myopia in children. These drops help relax the eye's focusing mechanism, reducing the eye's growth and the worsening of myopia.
Schedule a Pediatric Eye Exam at The Eye Center
Preparing your child for the upcoming school year involves more than just getting new supplies and clothes. Ensuring their vision is in optimal condition is essential for their academic success. Schedule an appointment with us at any of our six locations across North Carolina to identify and manage myopia. By catching it early, you can ensure your child begins the school year with clear and healthy vision.
