Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly. It typically develops in childhood and can worsen as children grow. Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long or the cornea becomes too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of on it.
At Bridlewood Eye Care, we know that children who have lower levels of myopia tend to have healthier eyes in the future. That’s why we’re passionate about providing each child with myopia management options to reduce myopia progression and help keep their eyes as healthy as possible.
Who Needs Myopia Intervention?
- Children: Myopia often starts in childhood and can progress rapidly. Early intervention is key to slowing the progression and preventing high myopia, which increases the risk of severe eye conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts.
- Teenagers and Young Adults: Those experiencing rapid changes in their vision may benefit from myopia control to stabilize their prescription and reduce the risk of future eye health issues.
- Individuals with a Family History of Myopia: Genetics play a large role in myopia development. If parents are nearsighted, their children are at a higher risk and should be monitored closely.
What to Expect from a Myopia Examination
A myopia examination at Bridlewood Eye Care involves a comprehensive evaluation of your or your child’s vision and eye health. Here’s what you can expect:
- Detailed Medical History:
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- One of our optometrists will gather information about your vision history, family history of myopia, and any symptoms you may be experiencing.
- Visual Acuity Test:
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- This test measures how clearly you can see at various distances. It helps determine the extent of nearsightedness.
- Refraction Test:
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- Using a phoropter, our optometrist will identify the precise prescription needed to correct your vision.
- Eye Health Examination:
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- Our optometrist will examine the health of your eyes using a slit-lamp microscope and other diagnostic tools to check for any underlying conditions that could affect your vision.
- Myopia Control Assessment:
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- Based on the examination results, your optometrist will discuss the most effective myopia control methods for you or your child. This could include options like orthokeratology (Ortho-K), multifocal contact lenses, or atropine eye drops.
- Personalized Myopia Control Plan:
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- The last step involves your optometrist developing a tailored plan to manage and slow the progression of myopia. This plan may involve regular follow-up visits to monitor progress and adjust the treatment as needed.
Why is Myopia Control Important?
Controlling myopia is crucial for several reasons:
- Preventing High Myopia:
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- High myopia significantly increases the risk of serious eye conditions, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts. By slowing myopia progression, these risks are reduced.
- Enhancing Quality of Life:
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- Individuals with unmanaged myopia may struggle at work, taking part in outdoor activities as well as daily activities due to poor distance vision. Effective myopia control improves the ability to see clearly, enhancing their overall quality of life.
- Long-Term Eye Health:
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- Slowing myopia progression helps maintain better eye health in the long run, reducing the likelihood of complications associated with severe myopia.
Schedule Your Myopia Consultation in Calgary
At Bridlewood Eye Care, we offer comprehensive myopia examinations and personalized myopia control plans to help you achieve optimal vision. Request an appointment here to ensure your or your loved ones' eye health is well taken care of.
