Ester Kohen OD
Little Eyes, Big Vision
At DMV Vision Care, we prioritize your child's vision and ocular health. As fellow parents, we recognize the significance of enabling parents to make informed decisions regarding their child's requirements.
Check out our list of frequently asked questions below to learn the latest treatments that aid doctors in slowing down the progression of myopia.
Myopia and treatment FAQ
1. What is myopia?
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common vision condition affecting many people worldwide. It occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. results in distant objects appearing blurry, while close objects remain clear. Myopia can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.​
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2. Why can't my child just wear regular glasses?
Regular contact lenses and glasses can only provide clear vision for distance, but they do not address the root cause of myopia which is an elongated eye. If left untreated, myopia can worsen over time, leading to a higher risk of developing other eye conditions.
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3. What treatments are currently available?
At present, there are two FDA-approved ways to reduce the advancement of childhood myopia.
Daytime soft contact lenses are specially designed to bend light in a specific pattern, which helps prevent retinal elongation. On the other hand, nighttime contact lenses act like retainers, molding the shape of the cornea and influencing how light is bent before it enters the eye. In addition to preventing retinal elongation, these lenses enable the person to enjoy clear vision throughout the day without requiring additional contact lenses or glasses.
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4. How long does treatment last?
To prevent excessive retinal elongation and prescription growth, it is recommended to start myopia therapy as early as possible. Children as young as 6 years old may begin this therapy. Most myopia progression occurs during the child's developmental years (6-15), but myopia can still progress in their later teen years. Various risk factors and the personal trend of myopia progression will ultimately determine the total treatment time. It is best to continue treatment until the doctor determines that your child is no longer at risk for myopia progression (usually around 18-22 years old).
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5. What happens at our first consultation?
At your consultation, your doctor will evaluate the vision, refraction, and ocular health with a dilated eye exam. In addition, they will take several scans of the front and back of the eye to gather baseline measurements for risk assessment as well as treatment determination.