The short- and long-term benefits of myopia management
Myopia is one of the most common vision issues among children, with 1 in 3 being myopic. It’s an epidemic that is projected to affect half of the world’s population by the year 2050. The purpose of myopia management treatment is to give children better vision for life, so they can accomplish their goals and avoid other serious vision problems in the future. This treatment has both short- and long-term benefits.
Short-term benefits can include:
Improved vision: After taking into account a child’s background, genetics, and lifestyle, Dr. Kaur selects the treatment method most appropriate for them, whether that be special kinds of contact lenses or a specific type of prescription eye drops. These treatments can dramatically slow the progression of myopia, and even in some cases change their vision for the better.
Better academic performance: Children with myopia often experience difficulty in a classroom setting—not being able to see what’s happening farther away can impact their confidence with participating in a lesson. Treating myopia can help your child see more clearly, thus giving them a confidence boost to engage academically.
Reduced eye strain: It is typical for children with myopia to have frequent headaches and other symptoms of eye strain from trying to focus on distant objects; myopia treatment can help alleviate this.
Increased quality of life: Some studies have shown the relationship between myopia and mental health issues. Not being able to see well in a group setting can lead to feeling disconnected to the flow of activities, wearing glasses can be stigmatized as well as impact the equipment needed for certain athletic activities. Treating myopia—and especially early on—can help improve your child’s confidence by allowing them to participate in a wider range of activities.
Long-term benefits can include:
Reduced the risk of serious eye diseases: High myopia can lead to other serious eye diseases like glaucoma, retinal detachments, macular degeneration, and cataracts. Early intervention to treat myopia is key to preventing not only worse nearsightedness but also a whole host of serious issues.
More career prospects: Some career fields—like the military, aviation industry, first responders—require a certain standard of vision. By slowing down the progression of myopia, a child could have a larger range of opportunities.
Lower healthcare costs: Treating myopia early might save your child from higher vision care costs—not only glasses or contacts, but treating other, more serious eye diseases can be expensive to manage, so the earlier myopia is treated, the better.
If you are interested in learning whether myopia management might be right for your child, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kaur to find out more.