Early myopia treatment can save parents money and protect children’s vision

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Millions of children in the United States develop myopia, or nearsightedness, at a younger age. Fortunately, early intervention could not only save parents money on future eye care, but also prevent serious vision complications later in life.

Myopia occurs when the eye lengthens, making it difficult to see objects in the distance. Traditionally, glasses or contact lenses have been used to correct the problem.

However, according to Dr. Valencia Wells, optician and owner of Morris Ave. Eyecare now aims to slow or stop the progression of the disease.

“They’re finding that about 30% of kids have nearsightedness right now,” Wells said. “The blessing is that we can detect it early and manage it by stopping or slowing the progression through certain contacts or drops.”

One of the most important advances in treating myopia is the use of special contact lenses or eye drops that help prevent further elongation of the eye. Children who receive these treatments early may see their prescription duration stabilize each year instead of increasing.

This is particularly important because worsening myopia over time can lead to higher prescription costs. Dr. Wells explained that untreated myopia also increases the risk of developing serious eye diseases such as glaucoma or retinal detachments later in life.

“You save so much money and also prevent eye disease,” Wells said, noting that retinal detachments are more likely because the eyeball is stretched, the retina becomes thinner and the risk of tears increases.

Parents are encouraged to have their child’s eyes examined early. The first examination can take place after just six months, followed by further examinations before kindergarten age and annually thereafter.

“If we notice the eyeball elongating, we want to intervene early to prevent it from getting worse,” Wells said.

Although it is not currently possible to completely reverse myopia, research is focused on stopping the progression where it is, which is why early detection and treatment are crucial.

Get news in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.

Copyright 2024 WBRC. All rights reserved.