Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common eye condition that causes distant objects to appear blurry while nearby objects remain clear. It occurs when the eye is longer than normal, or when the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than on it.  

Myopia usually begins in childhood and progresses during adolescence, although it can also develop in adulthood. It often first appears in school-age children between the ages of 6 and 14 years old and can continue to worsen until the late teenage years or early adulthood. In some cases, myopia progression can continue throughout a person’s lifetime, although this is less common.  

Later in life, myopia has been linked with an increased risk of severe eye diseases such as retinal detachments, cataracts, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration that can potentially impair vision. At VisionArts Eyecare Center in Fulton, our experts provide customized myopia management (or myopia control) treatment programs to slow down the progression of the condition and prevent vision loss in the future. 

What are the symptoms of myopia?    

• Blurry vision when looking at far away objects.   
• The need to squint to see objects clearly.   
• Eyestrain.   
• Experiencing headaches caused by straining your eyes.    

Myopia can impact various aspects of a child’s daily life, including academic performance, athletic activities, social interactions, independence, and self-confidence. Dr. James W. Vann at VisionArts Eyecare Center specializes in diagnosing and treating myopia in both children and adults. He also has expertise in working with children who have progressive myopia. 

What are the treatment options for myopia?   

Treatment for myopia includes glasses, contact lenses, and surgery. Orthokeratology, also known as ortho-k, is a non-surgical treatment option for managing myopia. It involves wearing specialized contact lenses at night while sleeping, which gently reshape the cornea to correct the refractive error of the eye. 

Paragon CRT® 

At VisionArts Eyecare Center, we offer Paragon CRT® (corneal refractive therapy) ortho-k lenses as a safe and effective myopia management option for both children and adults. These lenses provide freedom from glasses and contact lenses during the day, which can be beneficial for active lifestyles, sports, and other activities.   

It is important to note that Paragon CRT® lenses are not a cure for myopia, and the effects of the treatment are temporary. The lenses must be worn regularly to maintain the corneal reshaping and the resulting vision improvement. 

Managing myopia 

The first step to managing myopia is to schedule an appointment at VisionArts Eyecare Center in Fulton for a pediatric eye exam. Our optometrist will perform various tests to check your child’s eyes, determine overall eye health, and screen for myopia. If myopia is discovered, our doctor will guide you through the proper treatment plan to correct it and prevent further progression.