Myopia, also called nearsightedness, is a refractive error that makes it difficult to see distant objects. It often starts during childhood and adolescence. If your child has been diagnosed with myopia and needs an ophthalmologist near you in the Naples, FL, area, we at Naples Eye Physicians provide myopia treatments to help your child see clearly.
What Causes Myopia?
Nearsightedness often runs in families, with children especially prone to myopia if both parents are nearsighted. Myopia also occurs among teens, adults, and those with diabetes. Since myopia can be a problem at any age, scheduling regular eye exams helps diagnose and treat it early.
Symptoms of Myopia
Since myopia causes distant objects to appear blurry, it is often first recognized when children or teens:
-Squint of blink frequently
-Sit close to a computer screen or television
-Have difficulty reading from a distance at school
-Are unaware of distant objects
Diagnosing Myopia
An eye doctor diagnoses myopia during an eye exam, often by asking the patient to read letters from the Snellen chart or a picture chart for young children. Based on these and other tests, the ophthalmologist may diagnose myopia and recommend treatment or myopia control.
Treatment and Control Options
Eyeglasses and contact lenses are standard methods for treating myopia, allowing patients to see clearly, but neither helps control myopia. Among the control options are:
-Atropine eye drops: While your eye doctor may use atropine eye drops during an eye exam to dilate your eyes, they also help control myopia. A diluted version of the drop limits the eyes’ focusing mechanism, reducing the fatigue contributing to myopia’s progression.
-Orthokeratology: Orthokeratology or Ortho-k reshapes the cornea by wearing special contact lenses while sleeping. Ortho-k lenses gently reshape the corneas to provide normal vision during the day without further corrections. Children who have used orthokeratology for years are less myopic as adults.
-Refractive or LASIK surgery: Laser surgery reshapes the cornea to correct a patient’s vision and generally works best for those with mild myopia.
-Multifocal contact lenses: Multifocal contacts address close-up and distance vision, especially those with presbyopia. Studies show they help control myopia.
Get Eye Doctor Services and Myopia Control Near You from an Ophthalmologist Near You
If you or your child needs myopia control near you, our Naples Eye Physicians team can evaluate your condition and provide treatment. For more information on our myopia control practices or to schedule an appointment, call our Naples, FL, office today. Call us at (239) 262-6288 for eye doctor services and myopia control near you from an ophthalmologist near you.