A black couple wearing glasses to control shortsightedness. They are both laughing happily.

What is myopia (nearsightedness)?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is when you can see objects up close but can’t see distant objects clearly. It’s an anatomical issue in the eye where there’s too much of a curve in the cornea or natural lens (the eyeball is too long). What happens is that when the eyes focus light, it ends up in the front of the retina, instead of directly on it, making distant objects blurry.

What are the effects of myopia?

Myopia causes objects at a distance to appear blurry. For children, this often leads to trouble focusing in class or difficulty with sports or other activities that require distant vision.

What causes myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eyeball becomes elongated or the cornea and lens become too curved, causing the light rays to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. This leads to improper focus and blurry distant vision. Below are certain risk factors that can contribute to or worsen the effects of myopia:

Colored SVG images of of heads depicting genetic factors that can be responsible for causing Myopia

Genetics, like family history and ethnicity.

SVG representing environmental factors - Another factor connected to Myopia

Environmental factors, like not enough time spent outside.

SVG of a hand holding a phone. Digital devices is also connected to causes of Myopia

"Close work tasks" prolonged screen times

What can I do?

However, there are also many day-to-day things you can to help look after your child's vision.

1

Put eye care first

The earlier myopia is spotted, the better. Regular eye exams and eye care can prevent the onset and progression of myopia.

2

Get outside

Natural light significantly reduces the risk of developing myopia and progression. We recommend at least two hours of daily outdoor time, with proper sun protection of course!

3

Reduce near work

Encourage your child to spend time away from screens and reduce near work time to a maximum of 90 minutes a day.

4

Follow the 20/20/20 rule

During near work or screen time, look away every 20 minutes at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds, making 4-5 complete blinks.

An optometrist conducting eye test for a kid using the latest eye technology.

Treatments

FYidoctors offers a variety of treatment options, some of which can slow myopia's progression by as much as 90%. Talk to your doctor to find out what might be best for you.

One such treatment option is Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, which uses custom-designed contact lenses that are worn overnight. These lenses work to reshape the cornea and reduce eyeball elongation, allowing for clear vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses during the day. Refractive errors, such as myopia, can lead to a detached retina if left untreated.

We can help assess the risk of your myopia and provide alternative treatments such as refractive surgery or eye focusing exercises in conjunction with Ortho-K.

Specialty Glasses

Regular prescription lenses are enhanced with peripheral vision management technology. These help focus light on slowing down eyeball elongation.

Specialty Contact Lenses

Daily disposal contact lenses,
worn during daylight hours can help reduce the stimulation that causes eyeball elongation.

Pharmacological Eyedrops

Often combined with other treatments, low-dose atropine eye drops are widely used to help slow the progression of myopia.

Ortho-K

A form of rigid contact lens worn overnight to reshape the eye has been used to slow down the progression of myopia. 

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