What is myopia management for nearsighted children?

Published on
December 27, 2022

It is estimated that nearly one out of ten (9.2%) American children between the ages of five and 17 suffer from myopia also known as nearsightedness.

Myopia or nearsightedness is the inability to see objects clearly at distance. The condition can worsen your eyesight and cause more serious eye disorders like glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment if left untreated in childhood.

How does myopia (nearsightedness) impact your child in the classroom or while engaging in sports? Use our myopia simulator to see how your myopic child may see the world around them and better understand how that is impacting their success. https://amplifyeyecarelongbeach.com/myopia/myopia-simulator/

What causes myopia?

For many years, researchers have been studying how myopia develops, finding out what triggers it. It does not necessarily have to be in your family for you to have it. Over time, nearsightedness (myopia) can be caused by reading in the dark, being too close to the reading material, not spending enough time outdoors, and looking at tiny details in objects a lot.

What are the different options to slow down the progression of myopia?

By using near lenses, some of the focusing demands can be alleviated. People tend to hold things close when reading, so accommodating support lenses are recommended. However the ability to reduce progression of myopia has advanced significantly, and there are now fantastic ways to slow down progression and reduce the risks associated with higher diopter prescriptions. 

Myopia management usually incorporates one or more of the following treatment options: 

  • Ortho-k lenses are used to correct myopia (nearsightedness). These lenses are worn overnight to reshape the cornea in such a way that it provides clear vision throughout the day. CRT lenses also work the same way as ortho-k lenses and are used to correct myopia. Ortho-k lenses go by many different names such as orthokeratology, CRT, GVSS, and orthok. 
  • One of the latest technologies we have at Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach is the MiSight lens. These lenses are the first FDA approved lenses that are proven to slow down the progression of myopia.
  • Atropine eye drops are also used, sometimes on their own and sometimes in conjunction with OrthoK or MiSight lenses. 

What are common symptoms of myopia (nearsightedness)?

The following are common signs of nearsightedness:

  • Having trouble seeing objects that are far away (sometimes at night)
  • Eyes squinting
  • Eye strain
  • You have to be close to an object to see it
  • Children with nearsightedness often have to stand close to the classroom whiteboard when taking notes

What can you do at home to prevent myopia (nearsightedness)?

Following are some great tips you can follow to slow down the progression of myopia (nearsightedness):

  • Take visual breaks when you are working on a digital device, follow the 20-20-20 rule. Take a break every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
  • Do not spend too much time in front of a screen.
  • Try to spend 2 hours per day outdoors, and if that is too much then at the very least 30 minutes outdoors everyday.
  • Make sure you are not reading in low lighting.
  • Use appropriate lighting levels when reading a book or watching tv. It is advised not to watch television in a dark room. Watching television in a dark room actually does more harm than good.

Myopia simulator

How does myopia (nearsightedness) impact your child in the classroom or while engaging in sports? Use our myopia simulator to see how your myopic child may see the world around them and better understand how that is impacting their success. https://amplifyeyecarelongbeach.com/myopia/myopia-simulator/

Visit us for myopia management in Bellflower, CA

Parents who have a child with myopia and are proactive about preventing future complications due to having a higher prescription visit our clinic for our myopia management program. Our myopia management program has patients from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of myopia management for kids from Bellflower, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Los Angeles. To schedule a myopia management evaluation, please call (562) 925-6591 or Book an Appointment

Testimonials


I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered.  This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.


Claire A.

Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.


Jim K.

My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy.  She (Chris) is absolutely great.  I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision.  I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc).  Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her.  The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!


Teresa S.

The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.


Joe M.

I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.


Kayla W.

This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional.  Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage.  Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp.  I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all.  I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.

Very professional staff and pleasant.


Daniel G.
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