Is your child squinting more often or complaining about difficulty seeing distant objects? If so, they might be experiencing myopia, a common eye condition known as nearsightedness. Myopia is increasingly prevalent in children, and addressing it early is essential for maintaining good eye health. Explore the reasons behind myopia progression in children and how you can help your child maintain their vision.
Several factors can contribute to the progression of your child’s myopia. Genetics plays a significant role as children with nearsighted parents are more likely to develop myopia. Various environmental factors can also impact child development, especially excessive screen time and a lack of outdoor activities. Prolonged close-up work can strain the eyes and contribute to myopia progression.
If your child’s myopia worsens, you may notice some telltale signs like the following:
Regular check-ups with an eye doctor ensure you can detect myopia progression early, making it easier to manage. Your eye doctor can suggest prescription glasses or contact lenses to improve your child’s vision. In some cases, they may recommend orthokeratology. This non-surgical procedure involves wearing specially designed contact lenses overnight to reshape the cornea temporarily. If necessary, your eye doctor may also refer you to a low-vision specialist in Greencastle, PA.
There are steps you can take to help prevent or slow down the progression of your child’s myopia.
If you are concerned about your child’s myopia or need an eye doctor in Shippensburg, PA, contact Joel H McGahen OD at (717) 264-4012. You can also fill out our online form to schedule an appointment. We provide various treatments and solutions for myopia and offer contact lenses in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.