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Myopia Control

Myopia Control is the beginning of stopping nearsightedness in children, preventing their glasses from getting thicker every year, and ultimately ensuring healthy eyesight for their future.

Proudly serving Suffolk County and surrounding areas in Long Island.

What Is Myopia?


Nearsightedness, technically known as myopia, is a condition which causes difficulty focusing on objects at a distance, while near vision remains normal. Myopia is one of the most common vision problems worldwide and it is on the rise.

Myopia, always common in children, is an increasing problem. The number of kids who are nearsighted has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.

The reason for this remains blurry, yet one possible culprit is the increased amount of time kids spend indoors gazing at digital screens, with limited exposure to natural light.

Many parents are alarmed by their child’s need for a new vision prescription yearly, and parents and kids are disturbed by the increasing thickness of their eyeglass lenses.

Optometrist, teenage boy at an eye exam on Nesconset, NY

Myopia Control Starts with an Eye Exam

Regular comprehensive eye exams for your child at all stages of their development is extremely important to ensure a child's vision will develop as it should and to diagnose any eye conditions that may be affecting your child.

There are many eye conditions, such as strabismus and amblyopia that can be corrected easily if caught early but can do irreversible damage that will affect a child into adulthood if left undiagnosed and untreated for too long. However, one of the leading causes of ocular disease in adults that continues to progress is myopia.

Eye doctor, african american girl smiling Nesconset, NY

Slow or Stop Myopia Control

While nearsightedness or myopia can corrected through glasses or contact lenses, a modern concept has developed called Myopia Control. Myopia control is oriented to slow down or stop the progression of myopia since over the past few decades myopia has increased at an alarming rate.

Unfortunately, the percentage of moderate to high myopia has grown in number and myopia control is becoming a major consideration for parents & their child’s eye health. Book an appointment at our practice to learn how to start controlling myopia.

Myopia Control May Include:
  • Orthokeratology (“ortho-k”) or Corneal Refractive Therapy
  • Atropine Drops
  • Multifocal contact lenses
  • Multifocal eyeglasses
Levels of Myopia:
  • Mild myopia: -0.25 to -3.00 D
  • Moderate myopia: Between -3.00 to -6.00 D
  • High myopia: More than -6.00 D

Myopia Control Prevents Risk of Ocular Disease


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Cataracts

The rate of progression of myopia has been linked to the development of cataracts. The higher the level of myopia in a child, the faster the rate cataracts can develop when they get older.

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Glaucoma

Glaucoma is when the eye develops an unusually high pressure, where this pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss. Nearsighted people have a 2-3x greater risk at Glaucoma.

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Detached Retina

Levels of myopia also have a correlation to detached retinas. A detached retina is when the retina pulls away from the eyes tissue, often resulting in permanent vision loss.

Orthokeratology


How Does Ortho-k Work ?

The GP lenses for ortho-k are applied at bedtime and worn overnight. While you sleep, the lenses gently reshape the front surface of your eye (the cornea) to correct your vision, so you can see clearly without glasses or contact lenses when you're awake.

Who's Ortho-k For ?

Orthokeratology is frequently a good option for nearsighted individuals who are too young for LASIK surgery or for some other reason are not good candidates for vision correction surgery.

What Results Can You Expect From Ortho-k?

The goal for ortho-k is to correct your vision to 20/20 without eyeglasses or contact lenses during the day. In FDA trials of both CRT and VST lenses, more than 65% of patients were able to achieve 20/20 visual acuity after wearing the reshaping lenses overnight.

Eye doctor, girl smiling, holding a tennis racket in Nesconset, NY

Myopia Control Starts With You – The Parent

Your child’s eyes are his/her gateway into the world of learning. When your child’s vision is not functioning properly, learning and participation in recreational activities will suffer.

Children are not likely to recognize vision problems like myopia, and it is, therefore, the responsibility of parents and teachers to recognize signs of visual problems in their children.

Children’s Eyesight May Change, Less Often With Myopia Control

Because changes in your child’s vision can occur without you or your child noticing them, your child should visit the eye doctor every year or more frequently if specific problems or risk factors exist.

Myopia control attempts to reduce the number of changes that may occur in your child’s vision. With a successful myopia control program, an eye doctor can provide your child with amazing vision, track your child’s rate of myopia, and provide a clear road to healthy eyesight and a successful future.

Eye doctor, little asian girl reading in Nesconset, NY

To learn more about how your child’s myopia can be suppressed, contact your eye doctor to schedule an appointment.

Eye doctor, teenage girl sitting on a skateboard in Nesconset, NY

Myopia, always common in children, is an increasing problem. The number of kids who are nearsighted has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.