What Is Progressive Myopia?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error that causes blurred distance vision. It occurs when the eyeball grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
Progressive myopia is nearsightedness that worsens each year, requiring a significant increase in vision correction of at least half a diopter.
Myopia progression is a rising concern among eyecare professionals because there is overwhelming scientific evidence that high levels of myopia are a risk factor for serious eye diseases in the future, such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment and myopic macular degeneration.
Why Are Glasses Not A Solution?
For decades, distance vision glasses have been prescribed to nearsighted patients to correct myopia, but according to the latest research, they may actually cause myopia to worsen.
Glasses correct distance vision by manipulating the way light is focused onto the retina. However, glasses only offer clearer central vision, but don’t address images in the peripheral visual field. To compensate for this blurred peripheral vision, the retina actually stretches longer — making the eye more nearsighted and exacerbating the underlying cause of worsening myopia.
What Is Myopia Management?
Myopia management is a specialized, scientifically proven program that slows or halts myopia progression in children and young adults.
If your child’s myopia has been increasing each year, contact us to learn more about myopia management.
At Professional Eye Care of West Orange, we will assess your child’s eyes and vision, and discuss which myopia management strategy will be most effective in controlling your child’s myopia progression.
To schedule your child’s myopia consultation, contact Professional Eye Care of West Orange in West Orange today!
Q: #1: What is progressive myopia?
- A: Progressive myopia is nearsightedness that worsens quickly, requiring a significant increase in vision correction every time your child has their annual eye exam.
Q: #2: Why are glasses not recommended for progressive myopia?
- A: While glasses correct progressive nearsightedness via ever-stronger prescriptions, they don’t treat the underlying problem: the elongated shape of the eye.