Myopia Management: Slowing Down Nearsightedness

At San Carlos Eye Care, we are dedicated to providing the most advanced and comprehensive eye care to manage myopia (nearsightedness). Our specialized myopia management program is designed to slow the progression of myopia in children and young adults, ensuring better vision health for the future.

Myopia is a common vision condition where close objects appear clear, but distant ones are blurry. It occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. Without intervention, myopia can progress rapidly, especially in children, leading to higher risks of serious eye health issues later in life such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment.  

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Custom-designed contact lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea, eliminating the need for daytime glasses or contacts.
 

Specialized Soft Contact Lenses: Designed to correct distance vision and reduce eye strain for near tasks, helping to slow the progression of myopia.
 

Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops: A treatment option to slow myopia progression with minimal side effects.

There are several effective strategies that can be implemented at home to help manage and slow down the progression of myopia.

 1. Encourage Outdoor Play: Research suggests that spending more time outdoors can significantly slow the progression of myopia. Aim for at least 2 hours of outdoor play each day. Natural light and focusing on distant objects has been shown to help in reducing the amount of myopia.

2. Limit Screen Time: Excessive use of screens can strain the eyes and may contribute to the worsening of myopia. Set limits on screen time, ensuring breaks are taken every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds—the "20-20-20 rule."

3. Proper Room Lighting:  Ensure that the environment where your child reads or uses electronic devices is well-lit to prevent eye strain. Use ambient lighting that evenly illuminates the room without causing glare on screens or books. Avoid harsh or dim lighting that can cause the eyes to work harder.

4. Promote Proper Reading Habits:  Encourage children to maintain a healthy distance between their eyes and books or screens. The recommended distance is about the length of a child’s forearm. Ensure adequate lighting to avoid eye strain.

If you're concerned about your child's myopia or have noticed changes in their vision, schedule a consultation with us. Early intervention is key to managing myopia and ensuring your child enjoys clear and healthy vision.