What is myopia, and why do we care so much about it?

Myopia (also known as “nearsightedness”) is a common vision condition in which you can see objects up close better than those far away.  This happens when the eye is shaped so that light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This is due to the eye being too long. While glasses and contact lenses can correct the blur, we worry about the implications of the extra length of the eye.

Why do we worry about the length of the eye?  The retina is the thin tissue that lines the back of our eyes, providing us with vision (much like the film in a camera).  If the eye is too long, the retinal tissue stretches and becomes more fragile.  This stretching increases the risk for retinal tears, retinal detachments, and even changes in the macula that can affect our central, sharp vision.

This is why we closely monitor eye growth and myopia in children.  We now have treatments to slow down eye growth and myopia in children and teens.  We call this “Myopia Management,” and there are a few ways in which we can slow myopia and the elongation of the eye.  There are special treatment soft contact lenses, eye drops used at bedtime, and orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses worn overnight, and now the new Stellest lenses that are worn as glasses!  

At Wink, we not only check your child’s prescription, but we also use a device to measure the length of their eyes (a biometer).  This information helps monitor myopia and prevent future retinal problems.  

The bottom line is that a “long” eye means more than just nearsighted vision.  It can put extra strain on the retina.  By slowing down eye growth early, we are protecting vision for the future.

Ask our doctors if your child might benefit from Myopia Management today!  The earlier we start, the better!