Help Keep Nearsightedness In Check

Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error that affects the way objects are seen: when a patient has myopia, close objects appear clear, and distant objects seem blurry and out of focus.

A recent study indicates there are currently 9.6 million American adults who have myopia, and that number is expected to rise.

At Bettner Vision, testing for myopia is conducted during our comprehensive eye exam. If you are having trouble seeing distant objects, book an appointment now to discuss ways to help manage this condition for you and your loved ones.

How Does Nearsightedness Develop?

When the shape of the eyeball is elongated or the angle of the cornea is overly steep, light rays focus in front of the retina instead of on it. This is what causes blurry distance vision.

Generally, myopia develops in childhood and becomes progressively worse until adulthood, at which time it stabilizes.

Because children’s eyes are in a growth phase and not fully developed, myopia may be controlled and the progression of myopia can, in some cases, be decelerated. It is important, however, that your child undergoes a comprehensive eye exam before a management plan can be formulated.

Nearsightedness Management at Bettner Vision

At Bettner Vision, we use several strategies to manage myopia for both adults and children.

Laser Eye Surgery

While technically not a myopia management strategy, adults can correct their myopia (along with hyperopia and astigmatism) with laser eye surgery, a surgical procedure that uses a laser to correct refractive errors. At Bettner Vision, we provide laser surgery consultations as well as pre and post-surgery care.

Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT®)

Corneal refractive therapy is a form of orthokeratology that uses high oxygen permeable specialty contact lenses designed to temporarily correct myopia by reshaping your cornea while you sleep. In the morning, you take out the CRT lenses and can go through your day without the need for contacts or glasses.

Paragon CRT® lenses can be worn by children and adults, but are best for patients with low to moderate myopia and mild astigmatism.

Multifocal Glasses & Contacts

Multifocal options for children with myopia can slow the progression of nearsightedness, providing an effective and efficient treatment option. These glasses and contact lenses allow children to see both far objects and near objects clearly.

Atropine Eye Drops

Atropine 0.01% eye drops have been shown to slow the progression of myopia in some children by relaxing the focusing mechanism. However, atropine drops do not reverse myopia, and children who use these drops may still require glasses for clear distance vision.

Environmental Strategies

Studies have shown that in conjunction with atropine eye drops, increasing outdoor activities and decreasing the duration of near work has been effective in delaying myopia onset in some children. We can recommend some strategies to increase outdoor time, as well as help control the time your child engages in near work activities.