If your child has been diagnosed with myopia, you may be wondering what it means for their long-term eye health. If left unmanaged, myopia can lead to complications that require careful attention and management. Starting myopia management early, when myopia is still mild, can result in better treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of eye diseases later in life.
What is myopia?
Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This leads to blurry distance vision, requiring stronger corrective lenses. While glasses and contact lenses can help your child see clearly, they don’t stop myopia from progressing or prevent the potential complications associated with myopia.
Long-term risks of myopia
Having myopia can increase the chances of developing certain eye diseases and complications later in life, including:
- Retinal detachment – The elongated shape of a highly myopic eye stretches the retina, making it more prone to tears and detachment, which can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
- Glaucoma – People with high myopia have a higher risk of developing glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve and can cause irreversible vision loss.
- Myopic maculopathy – This condition occurs when the central part of the retina (macula) degenerates due to excessive eye elongation, leading to blurred or distorted central vision.
- Cataracts – High myopia is linked to an earlier onset of cataracts, which can cloud the eye’s natural lens and affect vision quality.
- Choroidal neovascularization – This is when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina, potentially causing scarring and permanent vision impairment.
How to prevent complications from myopia
Myopia cannot be reversed once it changes the eye shape, but our myopia management specialists in Blue Island, IL, at Vision Salon Eye Care Associates can slow or stop its progression using proven methods. If your child’s myopia is worsening, myopia management options such as orthokeratology (ortho-k), low-dose atropine eye drops, and special contact lenses for myopia control can result in fewer prescription changes and a lower risk of long-term eye conditions.
Additionally, studies show that children who spend more time outside in natural light are less likely to develop high myopia. To help prevent myopia in children, encourage outdoor play and limit excessive near work when possible. Children should ideally spend at least two hours outside per day.
In conclusion
Myopia doesn’t have to lead to severe eye issues in the future. By staying proactive with myopia management and regular eye care, you can reduce the risks and keep your child’s eyes healthy for years to come. If your child has myopia, schedule an appointment at Vision Salon Eye Care Associates in Blue Island, Illinois, to discuss the best prevention and treatment options.
