Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a prevalent eye disorder among folks of all ages. This is an ophthalmological disease under the class Refractive Errors. Myopia is caused by the eye being too long or the cornea being distorted.
Contrary to the sound of it, this disease is harmless but may interfere with day-to-day life. Myopia is a degenerative eye condition that first manifests in growing youngsters under the age of ten. From the onset, it progresses and worsens every few months.
Early detection is crucial in Myopia Control or prevents further deterioration of vision. In Australia, a study shows almost 4.5% of children aged 0–14 years have Myopia and develop severe forms of it by the end of their teens. As a result, this disease must be treated as soon as possible to prevent your child from suffering for the rest of their life.
Myopia: Prevention & Cure-
While the number of cases might seem trivial, we must remember that any developing child might be at risk of Myopia. Aside from emerging on their own, scientists worldwide have also discovered that Myopia can be hereditary.
The saying “Prevention is better than cure” is most appropriate for this disease, where sometimes finding it early can avert various painstaking measures later. This is why getting your little ones a regular checkup every year is always recommended. If this disease goes unnoticed and symptoms appear, it is advisable to seek professional help immediately for myopia control. However, various treatments are available for Myopia Control and to regain a normal vision for you and your child. We will be discussing some of them here:
Lenses-
Lenses are one of the most common refractive error countermeasures. Lenses come in various sizes and forms to suit the user’s taste. Glasses are the most iconic lenses in our world right now. Gone are the days when glasses were bulky and only suitable for office work.
But on the other hand, if folks choose to be subtle with it, they can always opt for contact lenses. Not only are they invisible to the naked eye, but they also come with all the benefits that glasses provide. Here too, people can get a degree of customization where they can choose a color for their iris. Lenses do vary in power. This unit is what decides whether the lens can do Myopia Control or not. So always consult your doctor before pulling the trigger.
Orthokeratology-
Like the previous method, orthokeratology is a non-surgical treatment as well. Orthokeratology, first introduced in 1960 by George Jessen, was perfected in the 1980s due to advancements in the field. It employs specially designed RGP (rigid gas permeable) contact lenses to correct the shape of the eye. It is also called “Night Lenses,” as users are supposed to wear them during their sleeping hours. This method uses pressure to temporarily reshape the cornea to reduce or eliminate the effects of Myopia.
The significant advantage of this method is that patients don’t need to administer anything during their waking hours. This is especially useful to those who want to avoid any interference in their work life. Initial adaptation will only take a day, but complete acclimatization may take up to a week or two.
Atropine Eye Drops-
Atropine Eye Drops are one of the most common medications administered for a wide range of ophthalmological diseases such as uveitis, cycloplegia, amblyopia, and Myopia. Low-dose Atropine is generally given to children for significant amount of Myopia Control.
When applied, it relaxes the focusing muscles of the eye, which makes it more hypermetropic and decreases the progress of Myopia. However, it is advised to discontinue using atropine eye drops after a while. It is crucial to speak with an eye specialist before using atropine.
Conclusion:
Myopia is a prevalent disease among young children, and it can affect them for the rest of their lives if it goes undetected. It can be avoided if checkups are done regularly. But even if this disease is discovered later, there are multiple treatments to prevent it. These remedies aim to bring back a sense of normalcy for those experiencing Myopia. Remember, Myopia Control is possible, and one needs to take the right decisions and actions for it.
