Myopia, also called nearsightedness, is a common problem in people of all ages. However, there is myopia control available for kids with this problem. This condition tends to progress and get worse as you get older. In kids, it progresses faster than with adults. When kids are under 10 and have myopia, they are able to use myopia control methods to slow its progression. When an eye doctor is able to diagnose a child with it, they can help to slow it with a couple of effective methods. When you need eye care, call Broadway Eye Clinic serving Salt Lake City, UT, Utah, to make an appointment with an optometrist on our optometry team.
Atropine Drops
These eye drops are available for eye care by prescription. They are a myopia control method that is simple to administer, and it can make a big difference in the way your child's vision progresses. With atropine drops, it may take a little while for an eye doctor on our optometry team to discover the right dosage for your unique child's vision. And as they get older, the dosage will have to be increased. These drops should be administered to your child the way that an optometrist on our optometry team tells you to, and they should to be used consistently. With kids, it may take a lot of time before they learn to not blink the drops away, but it's an effective method of controlling myopia. Once kids get used to it, atropine may be an easy part of a child's routine.
Ortho-K
Many people never consider giving their children contacts to wear, but with ortho-K, these specialty lenses can help with myopia. These are contacts that are used to change the eye slightly so that their vision is better. With these contacts, they are only worn at night and are put in right before bedtime. They are worn all night and removed in the morning. Ortho-K contacts put a little bit of pressure on the eye to alter the shape of the eyeballs. Using these at night means that the patient doesn't have to use any vision correction method, like glasses, during the day. When kids wear ortho-K lenses, it can take some time for them to learn how to use them properly, removing them and putting the in when needed. It may require parental help to make sure that they are on the eyes properly. These lenses usually should be worn each night for the best results but check with an optometrist on our team to be certain.
Get Eye Care from an Optometrist on Our Optometry Team for Myopia Control
When you need to see an eye doctor in Salt Lake City, UT, Utah, give us a call at (801) 322-0467 for Broadway Eye Clinic to make your appointment for an eye exam and possible eye care treatment for myopia control.
