Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a refractive error in which close objects appear clear but distant objects appear blurred. Almost 40% of people in the United States are nearsighted.
Some children have a progressive form of nearsightedness that worsens through the late teens or early 20’s. Children with nearsightedness may require glasses or contacts to help them see in the distance, but these traditional options do not aid in slowing the progression of nearsightedness.
Nearsightedness is caused by:
Correcting nearsightedness with glasses or regular contact lenses alleviates visual symptoms such as blurry vision but does not prevent nearsightedness from progressing. There is a strong association with higher amounts of nearsightedness and the risk of certain eye diseases as your child gets older. Reducing the amount of nearsightedness also reduces the chance of developing vision-threatening conditions like macular degeneration, retinal detachments, glaucoma, and cataracts.
Options available through Thomas Eye Group include contact lenses and eye drops.
Nearsightedness can progress into the late-teens or early-20s. The exact amount of time your child will need treatment varies from child to child, but you can expect to continue whichever method of treatment is best for your child into their teenage years.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider. Section 1557 – Affordable Care Act (ACA)
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