Is your child constantly squinting to see things that are far away? Do they often need help reading the whiteboard in class? If so, they may be expressing signs of nearsightedness, also known as myopia.
Myopia is a common condition in which distant objects appear blurry while closer objects remain clear. It occurs when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea is too steep. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, this condition can actually have serious consequences if it progresses to medium or high nearsightedness. In fact, kids with medium to high myopia are significantly more likely to suffer from cataracts, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and glaucoma down the line.
That's why it's crucial to give Ranch Road Vision Source in Austin a call today to learn how to identify vision problems and take control of your child's eye health before their risk of eye diseases increases dramatically.
Causes of Myopia: Is Myopia Genetic?
The exact causes of myopia in children are not fully understood, but several factors have been identified. One major factor is genetics. There is a higher risk of developing nearsightedness in children whose parents are nearsighted.
Environmental factors, such as excessive screen time, infrequent outdoor time, and a lack of natural light exposure, have also been linked to myopia development in children.
Does Myopia Worsen with Age?
Myopia often begins in childhood during the early school years. As a child grows, so do their eyes, which is why myopia tends to stabilize once a person reaches their early twenties and stops growing.
In some cases, myopia can worsen in adulthood, but this isn’t as common.
Can Myopia in Children be Cured?
Although myopia cannot be cured or reversed, it can still be managed effectively through treatment. The main objective of myopia management is to prevent your child’s eyesight from gradually worsening.
By stopping or slowing myopia from progressing, parents can actively minimize their children’s future risk of vision loss due to eye disease.
Why is Early Intervention Best for Children with Myopia?
It’s best to start myopia management at the first signs of nearsightedness so the condition doesn’t reach an advanced stage. The lower their prescription, the higher their chances are of healthy long-term vision in adulthood.
By catching and treating myopia early, children can potentially avoid these long-term complications and have greater success maintaining good vision and eye health as they age.
Myopia Management in Austin
Myopia management is crucial for maintaining good eye health and preventing the progression of nearsightedness and further complications in children and teens. Seeking professional help from an optometrist is the best way to manage and treat myopia effectively.
Don't wait! Make an appointment with Ranch Road Vision Source today to start taking control of your child’s eye health.