Did you know that myopia affects about five percent of preschoolers, nine percent of school-age kids, and 30 percent of teenagers? Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, begins at about six years old and progresses as children become adults. Nearsightedness can either be mild or high, depending on the health of a child's eyes.

Children with high myopia are more predisposed to developing other vision-threatening conditions. Eye doctors recommend ortho-k lenses to slow down and manage nearsightedness. Your child can begin wearing ortho-k lenses from ages five and six.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia develops in a child when the ocular structure becomes more extended than usual. The elongation of the eye causes light to focus at the fore of the retina instead of on it. It causes blurred vision for objects that are far from the eye. The condition is relatively common in kids between the ages of six and 14.

What Is Ortho-k?

Ortho-k lenses slow down myopia progression in children by reshaping their cornea. This reshaping causes light coming into the eye to focus sharply on the retina. The child will only need to wear ortho-k lenses at night when they are going to sleep. They reshape the cornea throughout the night. In the morning, your child takes them off, and they have excellent vision throughout the day.

Slowing and managing myopia progression is essential in children. Myopia progression becomes worse to the point of predisposing children to graver conditions. Myopes can have macular degeneration, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and early cataracts. Hence, it is essential to start using ortho-k lenses for your child as soon as possible.

Why Ortho-k Lenses?

Here are reasons to manage your child's myopia with ortho-k lenses:

 

• Slow Down Myopia Progression

It is a reliable technique to slow down and ultimately stop myopia progression. Among the methods of myopia management, ortho-k is among the most effective. Ortho-k is safe for kids between the ages of five and 14. This is because the child needs to be old enough to be comfortable wearing the lenses through the night.

 

• No Need for Contacts or Glasses During the Day

Wearing ortho-k lenses ensures that your child will not need a daytime eyewear prescription. Ortho-k gives your child the ability to play and engage in activities without the fear of falling glasses. Also, contacts are not advisable for children who are very active outside.

 

• They Are Not Invasive

Eye doctors do not recommend eye surgery for children since their eyes are in the development stage. LASIK can treat myopia, but it is not for children below the age of 18. Ortho-k is the best option while your child is still growing.

 

• They Are Reversible

The reshaping of the cornea by ortho-k lenses is not permanent. It allows other visual corrections, like eye surgery at the right age. It is a great way to control myopia progression without causing a permanent change.

 

• Astigmatism

If your child also has astigmatism, ortho-k lenses can help address this. Because ortho-k reshapes the cornea, it can effectively correct irregular corneas. This will provide a clear vision for your child throughout the day.

For more on managing myopia with ortho-k lenses, visit Bright Eyes Vision at our office in Plymouth, Indiana. You can also call (574) 936-2272 to book an appointment today.