Progressive myopia or degenerative myopia is one of the common refractive errors that worsen year after year in children. It is the condition of nearsightedness where the problem gradually worsens. This eye condition usually affects teenagers and children. If not diagnosed and treated on time, it may lead your child to high myopia, increasing your child's risk of having other eye problems. Unless your child gets regular Pediatric Eyecare Services, it may be difficult for you to even detect their eye problems. Remember that nearsightedness often occurs when the eyeballs elongate slightly from front to back. In certain instances, this elongation persists, contributing to further deterioration of the condition.

Did you know myopia is more common in children who spend too little time outdoors? There have been reports that around 40% of adults will experience progression of myopia in their 20s. Annually, around 10% to 20% of young adults develop progressive myopia. Several other factors can increase your kid's risk of developing myopia and other eye problems. Thankfully, plenty of solutions, such as contact lenses and glasses, are available today to manage myopia.

So, what to do if your child has had progressive myopia? Should you consult with a pediatric eye specialist? Keep reading the blog to discover five effective ways to manage progressive myopia:

Symptoms Of Progressive Myopia
1. Squinting
2. Frequent headaches
3. Holding objects too close to the face
4. Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly
5. Frequent eye rubbing
6. Blurred vision
7. Distorted vision
8. Eye strain causing headache

What Are The Best Ways To Manage Progressive Myopia?

Schedule Regular Eye Exams: Getting regular eye exams is critical for managing progressive myopia and other eye conditions. By scheduling routine appointments with your eye care professional, you can monitor changes in your child’s vision and address them promptly. These exams or Pediatric Eyecare Services allow you to stay informed about the progression of myopia and make informed decisions about what to do next.

Lifestyle Changes: On the other hand, lifestyle changes can also play a vital role in managing progressive myopia. If you can incorporate some good vision habits or make specific changes in your child’s lifestyle, it can help a lot. For example, you can encourage your kids to spend more time outdoors, take frequent breaks from near work, and practice good posture. All this can help reduce the progression of myopia. Furthermore, you can ensure they maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients that benefit their eye health.

Low-percentage Atropine: Did you know you can use low-percentage atropine eye drops as an effective treatment option? Yes, you can! These drops, as prescribed by an eye care provider at your nearest pediatric eye clinic, can help slow down the progression of myopia. Atropine works by temporarily relaxing the muscles in your eyes, which can help prevent further eyeball elongation. This can reduce myopia progression over time.

Bifocal Soft Contact Lenses: Bifocal soft contact lenses are another excellent option for progressive myopia. These specialized lenses feature different prescription strengths in different zones. This allows your children to see clearly at various distances. Bifocal soft contact lenses can correct your vision while also addressing myopia progression. We can say that these lenses can provide clear and comfortable vision throughout the day.

Orthokeratology: Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, involves wearing specially designed rigid contact lenses overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. This technique can help correct vision and reduce myopia progression. By gently reshaping the cornea while you sleep, ortho-k lenses provide clear vision during the day without needing glasses or daytime contact lenses. Once you visit a pediatric eye care center, you may learn how this non-surgical approach can be an effective option for progressive myopia, especially in younger individuals.

Visit Eyes on Brickell for Pediatric Eyecare Services in Miami!

Progressive myopia may be a real threat to your children, but you can manage it with an active approach. When all is said and done, we recommend you schedule an appointment at Eyes on Brickell. As a leading eye clinic in Miami, it will comprehensively meet your eye care needs. No matter what eye issues you or your children are dealing with, Dr. Antoine Copty is there to help. Refer to their website today to get complete Pediatric Eyecare Services in Miami today!