Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common condition that causes vision problems. It occurs when the cornea in the front part of your eye is curved too steeply, making the things you look at from far away appear blurry. Contact lenses, eye drops, and procedures are standard treatments for myopia to prevent the condition from worsening. 

Myopia control is a type of vision correction that slows the progression of myopia in children. While not reversible, treatment for myopia can prevent your child’s vision from getting worse or increasing their risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment later in life.

While the cause of myopia isn’t entirely clear, kids who spend more time doing computer work, playing video games, or reading may have a higher chance of myopia than kids who play outdoors more often. Genetics also appear to play a role in myopia development. 

Some of the myopia control treatments available at Eye Q Optique include:

Eye drops

Low-dose atropine eye drops widen the pupils during an eye exam. When given to kids in small amounts for several years, the drops could slow the progression of myopia. Your child’s optometrist may recommend this myopia control treatment for children 5-18 years old. 

Contact lenses

Wearing specialty contact lenses can correct vision problems in kids with myopia and reduce the risk of myopia progression. 

Lifestyle changes

Things you can encourage your child to do at home to minimize myopia progression include spending more time outdoors, limiting screen time, and having a good balance of outdoor activities and time spent indoors reading or looking at a computer screen.

To learn more about myopia control and determine if it’s right for your child, call the closest Eye Q Optique office or use the online scheduler today.