Myopia, a common cause of shortsightedness, has become endemic in the modern era. The prevalence of it has continued to grow at an alarming rate and is even affecting many school-age children. A combination of genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyles has led to an increase in the number of people diagnosed with myopia. It affects many people’s ability to learn effectively in childhood and into adult life.
 

Benefits of Myopia Control

Studies show that, if left unchecked, myopia continues to worsen over time. Poor vision can affect a child’s ability to learn during the formative years. Myopia management can slow or even halt the progression of the condition.
 

Eye specialists recommend eyeglasses, contact lenses, and eye drops to treat myopia. They develop treatment programs in response to each patient’s visual needs and examine patients to determine the best myopia control option. They consider the patient’s compatibility with the various options, among other factors.
 

Primary Preventative Strategies

Eye professionals recommend strategies that can help prevent the onset of myopia. One of the most effective ways to prevent myopia is to encourage more outdoor time. Studies show that spending time outdoors can help protect children’s vision. Reducing the time one spends using digital devices can also be beneficial. Limiting continuous reading and performing fewer near-vision activities can also help delay the onset of myopia and reduce its progression.
 

Secondary Preventative Strategies

Secondary strategies involve the detection of myopia before symptoms develop. The goal is to keep pre-myopia cases from progressing to the full condition. Regular vision screening and monitoring can help prevent progression.
 

If not controlled, myopia continues to worsen with time. Eye specialists examine patients’ eyes regularly to ensure they are developing well. They can detect issues that may affect the person’s visual acuity.
 

Tertiary Myopia Prevention

Tertiary prevention involves managing the condition after diagnosis. Eye specialists recommend myopia management strategies to improve the patient’s vision. Myopia control techniques halt or slow the condition.
 

Treatment requires the active participation of the patient and may involve eyeglasses or contact lenses. Orthokeratology (ortho-k) is one of the most effective myopia management techniques. It involves the use of contact lenses that change the shape of the cornea.
 

Role of Eye Care Professionals

Eye care professionals work with patients and their parents or caregivers to come up with the best myopia control strategies. Doctors discuss the options to treat or manage myopia, including eyeglasses, contact lenses, and atropine eye drops.
 

They discuss the risks and benefits of each option. They evaluate the patient’s family history, medical history, and eye condition. They prescribe the best treatments depending on the patient’s age, prescription, and particular eye condition. They also create the best exam schedule for effective monitoring and evaluation.
 

High myopia increases the risk of patients developing various eye diseases. Scheduling regular eye exams is the most effective way to ensure you protect your own and your children’s ocular health. Exams allow eye care professionals to detect any eye issues early. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help prevent conditions that can lead to progressive vision loss.
 

For more on the role of eye care professionals in myopia control, visit GrandView Eyecare. Our offices are in Fairbury and Hebron, Nebraska. Call (402) 729-6162 or (402) 768-6651 to book an appointment today.