What is Myopia?
Myopia (nearsightedness) is a vision condition in which people can see close objects clearly, but objects farther away appear blurry.
Myopia occurs if the eyeball grows too long. As a result, light isn’t focused correctly on the back of the eye, and distant objects look blurred.
What Causes Myopia?
- Genetics: If mom or dad is nearsighted, there is an increased chance their child will be too.
- Lack of time spent outdoors in the sun has been linked to development of myopia.
- Near work: A High amount of near work (like reading) can contribute to increased myopia.
What Are the Risks?
- Symptoms of myopia can include blurry vision, squinting, headaches, and fatigue.
- Myopia can negatively impact your child’s performance in school and other activities.
- The younger a child develops myopia, the greater the risk of eye conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts later in life.
What Can I Do?
- Visit your eye doctor early and often as your child grows. We can identify myopic changes and work together to help slow its progression.
- Limit your child’s time in front of computers, phones, and tablets. Too much screen time can contribute to myopia.
- Encourage your child to spend more time outdoors. Outdoor light can help slow the onset or progression of myopia. Encourage outdoor time –at least 90 minutes a day.
- Enroll in the Myopia Clinic at Silicon Valley Eyecare. SVE uses proven methods to help slow the progression of myopia and protect your child’s eyes.
Our Methods
SVE uses several effective methods proven by clinical studies to control myopia progression. Depending on your child’s age, prescription, eye shape and lifestyle, your doctor will recommend the most suitable option. If you would like to enroll in the Myopia Clinic, or if you would like to learn more about it, please contact us to set up a free consultation with your doctor. We would love to hear from you.
Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT)
CRT is a specialty contact lenses designed to be worn at night only, put in before bed and taken out in the morning. The lens gently presses the front surface of the eye, reshaping it to the correct curvature for clear vision during the day without glasses or regular contacts, and reduces the progression of myopia. Parents appreciate that these lenses stay at home, so there is no risk of losing them outside.
Soft Contact Lenses
These customized soft contact lenses are designed to be worn during the day and removed each night. They have a special optical design to reduce myopia progression while providing clear vision during the day. This treatment allows children to be free from glasses all day while providing excellent comfort and vision for all their activities.
SVE is a certified practice to prescribe MiSight® 1 day lenses, which are FDA-approved for myopia control.
Atropine Eye Drops
Atropine is a prescription eye drop. When formulated to a specific concentration, it has shown to be very effective at reducing myopia progression. These drops are applied at night before bed, and the child wears glasses or contact lenses during the day. This treatment is excellent for families concerned if their child is ready for a contact lenses, and often used for younger children or those showing rapid progression.
Your HSA or FSA can be used for the Myopia Clinic. VSP may cover part of the cost for contact lens materials and your medical insurance may cover part of the cost for atropine.
