One of the keys to treating myopia is first recognizing that myopia is a disease and blurry vision at distance is merely a symptom. Glasses and contacts cure the symptom, but not the disease. Let me explain:
There was a time when we thought that the worst thing that could happen is a child would be dependent on glasses. That until they were able to get contacts, they may be self-conscious with their new eyewear.
What are the risks of Myopia?
The latest research has shown that the higher a child’s prescription, the longer the eye itself becomes, and as a result, there is an increased risk of sight-threatening complications. These include an increased risk of cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration as they age. There is a direct correlation between how high their prescription is and the odds they develop one of these complications.
Now I know this all sounds pretty grim, but there is hope! Research has given us lifestyle modifications to stop the development of myopia. Additionally, for the first time ever we have therapies that can slow the progression once a child has become myopic!
Make sure to check out next month’s blog to see how we can treat this rapidly developing disease!