Myopia, or nearsightedness, isn’t just a matter of blurry vision—it’s a progressive condition that, if unchecked, can lead to further complications for your child. At Innovative Eye Care, we understand parents’ concerns about their children’s vision. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing top-tier myopia management solutions in Charlotte, NC to treat or slow the tide of myopia and unlock a world of crystal-clear vistas for your child.
Our team of experienced optometrists in Charlotte, NC, combines their passion, expertise, and the latest technology to confront myopia head-on, ensuring your child’s vision remains sharp and healthy as they grow. Schedule an appointment today to secure a clearer future for your child’s vision.
What is Myopia?
Myopia is a common vision condition where objects close to the eye appear clear, while objects farther away appear blurred. It occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light rays to focus at a point in front of the retina rather than directly on its surface.
This condition is often diagnosed in childhood and can progress throughout the adolescent years. Myopia can lower the quality of life in children by reducing their academic performance and self-esteem. Some research also points to an increased occurrence of mental health issues among children who have myopia.
Without proper management, myopia can progress quickly, leading to higher prescriptions and an increased risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts. That is why early detection and management are crucial to maintaining clear and healthy vision, allowing your child to reach their full potential.
Watch a short video here to dive deeper into myopia: https://youtu.be/PEk-d_dSBIM
Symptoms of Myopia
Here are some signs that may indicate your child has myopia:
- Squinting: Children with myopia often squint to see distant objects more clearly.
- Sitting Close to the TV or Screen: They may sit closer to the television or hold books and devices closer than normal to see better.
- Complaining of Headaches: Eye strain from trying to focus on distant objects can lead to frequent headaches.
- Blinking Excessively: Trying to clear their vision, children might blink more than usual.
- Rubbing Eyes Frequently: This can indicate eye strain or fatigue due to myopia.
- Poor School Performance: Difficulties in seeing the board or screen clearly can negatively affect their learning and attention in class.
- Lack of Interest in Outdoor Activities: Kids might avoid activities that require distance vision, showing a preference for close-up tasks like reading or using a computer.
- Complaining of Blurry Vision: Your child may notice that they can’t see distant objects as clearly as their peers.
Our Approach to Myopia Management in Charlotte, NC
At Innovative Eye Care, we offer a range of personalized myopia management strategies tailored to each child’s specific needs. This includes:
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Our orthokeratology lenses in Charlotte, NC offer a fantastic non-surgical solution for children who prefer not to wear glasses or daytime contact lenses. These lenses enable kids to perceive and engage with the world as if they never required vision correction at all.
Orthokeratology lenses serve as a nighttime retainer and are designed to be worn exclusively at night. They temporarily reshape the cornea to adjust the child’s vision for clear sight throughout the day and concurrently slow down myopia progression.
Myopia Control Soft Contact Lenses
We offer myopia management with daily disposable soft contact lenses, like MiSight lenses, that help correct distance vision while managing myopia progression, slowing it down by 59%. These multifocal contact lenses are approved by the FDA for myopia control and are worn during the day and discarded at the end of each day.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
Atropine eye drops are administered nightly to mitigate the advancement of myopia. They are specially formulated in low doses for controlling myopia, with a 0.05% concentration available at our eye care center in Charlotte, NC. This concentration is considered optimal for the effectiveness and safety of myopia management.
Our optometrists in Charlotte, NC, often recommend atropine for children who may not yet be suitable for contact lenses or as a supplementary therapy for those experiencing rapid myopic progression. With this treatment, eyeglasses must be worn throughout the day. Atropine has been shown to reduce the progression of myopia by more than 50%, and the optimal dosage is patient-specific and carefully determined by our doctors to deliver a safe and effective treatment plan.
What to Expect During Your Myopia Management Consultation in Charlotte, NC
At your initial visit, our eye doctors in Charlotte, NC will conduct a comprehensive evaluation that includes:
- Refraction: This will determine your most current vision prescription.
- Ocular Health Examination: This essential step assesses your eye health and determines your suitability for different myopia control strategies. Both the exterior and interior parts of your eyes will be examined meticulously.
- Biometry: This involves measuring the length of your eye, a crucial factor in evaluating the success of myopia control treatments.
- Corneal Topography: This test maps the cornea’s surface to identify the optimal contact lens fit based on its unique shape.
- Binocular Vision Assessment: This ensures both eyes are coordinating properly.
- Meibography: An evaluation of the meibomian glands will be performed for those using contact lenses. These glands play a vital role in keeping the lenses moist and comfortable. Additionally, basic assessments will be conducted to check for signs of dry eye syndrome.
- Lifestyle and Visual Habit Review: Expect a discussion about your daily habits, hobbies, and any factors that could contribute to myopia progression. This information helps in tailoring a management plan that fits your lifestyle.
After these evaluations, your eye doctor will discuss various myopia management strategies based on the examination results. These include prescription eyeglasses or myopia control contact lenses, orthokeratology, atropine eye drops, and lifestyle modifications to slow myopia progression.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know Which Myopia Management Option Is Best For My Child?
Our eye doctors in Charlotte will determine the best myopia treatment option for your child based on the child’s prescription, motivation, maturity, school and extracurricular activities, and lifestyle or hobbies. For instance, orthokeratology might be the best option for kids who enjoy swimming and want to achieve clear vision throughout the day without needing glasses or contact lenses while in the water.
At the myopia management appointment, our optometrists will work with you and your child to determine the best treatment option.
Is My Child Too Young for Contact Lenses?
This question often worries many parents. However, research indicates that children may be more responsible users of contact lenses than adults and teenagers. Furthermore, initiating myopia (nearsightedness) management at a younger age can have long-term benefits for the child.
Myopia tends to worsen through the teenage years, making early intervention crucial to minimize significant increases in prescription strength and keep myopia levels as low as possible. Additionally, wearing contact lenses can boost a child’s self-esteem. Our eye doctors in Charlotte, NC, ensure thorough follow-up appointments to maintain excellent eye health and provide ongoing advice on the proper care and handling of contact lenses.
What If My Child Is New To Wearing Contact Lenses?
If your child is new to wearing contact lenses, our optometrists in Charlotte, NC will guide them on how to apply and remove them correctly. They will also provide essential tips for maintaining contact lenses and maintaining good hygiene. Follow-up visits are expected and will be determined after the initial fitting to carefully monitor your child’s ocular health and vision.
Why Should I Choose Innovative Eye Care for Myopia Management?
- Expertise: Our eye doctors in Charlotte are experts in pediatric eye care and myopia management, staying at the forefront of the latest treatments and research.
- Personalized Care: We understand that every child is unique. That’s why we offer customized treatment plans to meet the needs of each patient.
- State-of-the-Art Technology: At Innovative Eye Care, we utilize the latest technology for accurate diagnosis and effective management of myopia.
- Family-Centered Approach: We believe in involving the whole family in the care process, ensuring parents are fully informed and part of the decision-making.
Schedule Your Child’s Myopia Management Consultation Today
If you’re concerned about your child’s vision or have noticed changes in their eyesight, don’t wait. Contact Innovative Eye Care for a comprehensive myopia management consultation in Charlotte, NC. Together, we can work towards securing a clearer future for your child’s vision.
Call 704-348-1500 today to schedule an appointment, and let us help your child achieve their best vision and eye health for years to come.
