CHILDREN MYOPIA CONTROL PROGRAM | CHILDHOOD MYOPIA MANAGEMENT
Nearsightedness, often known as myopia, is a common vision problem that is usually detected before the age of 20.
Myopia develops when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is overly curved. As a result, light that enters the eye is not properly focused, and distant objects appear blurry.
While the exact cause of myopia is unknown, there is significant evidence that many people inherit myopia, or at least the tendency to develop myopia.
WHAT IS CHILDHOOD MYOPIA?
Childhood myopia is a type of blurred distance vision (short-sightedness) that develops during a child’s growing years and worsens over time.
This refractive error is extremely common in Singapore. According to surveys, one in every four 7-year-olds, one-third of 9-year-olds, and half of 12-year-olds suffer from myopia.
This condition is easily corrected with visual aids such as glasses but developing myopia in children tends to worsen and high myopia levels are associated with an increased risk of eye disease in adulthood.
CAUSES OF CHILDHOOD MYOPIA
Evidence suggests that a combination of genetic and environmental factors contribute to childhood myopia progression. Myopic parents’ children are more likely to be myopic too.
Childhood myopia can also be caused by :
- accelerated eyeball growth in children
- long periods of detailed work
- childhood illnesses
SYMPTOMS OF CHILDHOOD MYOPIA
School-going kids may complain about being unable to see the whiteboard at school or the bus number from afar.
Other indications of childhood myopia include:
- Squinting while working on homework, reading or watching television
- Constant rubbing of the eyes
- Fatigue
- Constant Blinking
- Poor academic performance
- Reduced attention span
- Bringing objects up to one’s face
Although the majority of myopia cases are mild and can be easily controlled with corrective lenses, more severe disorders could develop if left untreated.
TREATMENTS FOR CHILDHOOD MYOPIA
Myopia cannot be cured or reversed, but it can be treated or prevented.
Myopic people have several options for regaining clear distance vision:
Eyeglasses
Most people with myopia prefer to correct their vision with glasses. A single-vision lens is prescribed to provide clear vision at all distances.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses provide clearer vision and a wider field of view than eyeglasses for some people. However, because contact lenses are worn directly on the eyes, they must be cared for properly to protect eye health.
Ortho K
Orthokeratology (Ortho K), also known as corneal refractive therapy, is another option for treating myopia (CRT). In this nonsurgical procedure, you wear a series of rigid contact lenses to gradually reshape your cornea.
Laser Eye Surgery
Adults with myopia may benefit from refractive surgery procedures such as LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) or PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). By removing a small amount of corneal tissue, a laser beam of light reshapes the cornea to correct any blurred vision.
Parents can encourage children to practice good eye care habits to prevent childhood myopia from worsening. Make sure your child takes frequent breaks to rest his or her eyes when participating in activities that strain the eyes.
Setting limits on activities that cause eye strain for your children (and yourself) is especially important.
MYOPIA CONTROL PROGRAMME
Step 1
Eye Examination
Step 2
Personalised Consultation
Based on your eye assessment results, we will recommend and discuss suitable treatments with you and your child.
Step 3
Treatment Plan
Once you have decided, we will prepare the treatment plan and provide thorough education and guidance on the entire process.
CHILDHOOD MYOPIA FAQs
The corneal molds are key to ensuring healthy corneas while enabling myopia retardation. Not every optometrist is able to prescribe and fit specialty contact lenses. Therefore, it is that crucial to go to the right optometrist who is able to design and customise the perfect fit to prevent risks of infection or discomfort.
Our optometrists at Eye Braces Clinic are trained and certified to provide a range of myopia control treatments including specialty lenses to help you find the best solution for your budget and needs.
Myopia develops and progresses throughout childhood and early adolescence, and usually stabilises when one enters adulthood. This means that the younger the child develops myopia, the higher the risks of it progressing into high myopia before it stabilises.
Hence, it is advisable to detect and control myopia as early as possible since its effects are irreversible.
CONTROL YOUR CHILD'S MYOPIA WITH EYE BRACES CLINIC
Depending on the severity of myopia, Eye Braces Clinic will provide you with the most suitable treatment options.
Our experienced optometrists in Eye Braces Clinic are trained and certified to provide the best treatment for you and your child.
Protect your child’s vision and book a consultation with Eye Braces Clinic today!
