The 4 Types of Glaucoma and How They Affect Your Eyes
Glaucoma comes in many forms, and all of them are equally dangerous. Four types can cause your vision to deteriorate slowly. A trained ophthalmologist can detect all four.
Are You Taking the Proper Steps to Control Myopia?
Myopia often manifests in adolescence, with symptoms like squinting at the board and struggling to see distant objects. If your child is showing signs of nearsightedness, it’s important to have them formally diagnosed and treated while they’re young. From there, you and your optometrist can discuss how to manage their condition.
At Harlem VistaSite Eye Care in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, Brittni Rodriguez, OD, and Sarah Quan, OD, can help monitor your child’s vision and identify myopia early, so they can be fitted for their first pair of eyeglasses.
An overview of myopia
Nearsightedness, known formally as myopia, is caused by a refractive error. In its early stages, it causes poor distance vision. Words on a board, signs, and faraway objects appear fuzzy, while close-up text and images are clearer.
Myopia can be corrected with contact lenses or glasses, but that’s only half the necessary treatment. During adolescence, the eyes get larger and develop rapidly. Existing problems like myopia often worsen, leaving the eyes vulnerable to additional problems like glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment as they age.
The good news is that there are ways to slow the progression of myopia, especially in children. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, vision loss can be effectively mitigated. If nearsightedness has already settled in, corrective lenses can be used to help correct this problem, but be aware that your child’s lens prescription may need to be adjusted annually or even twice a year to keep up with vision changes.
Recognizing signs of myopia
Refractive errors can cause your child to have blurred vision, which they may not recognize themselves at first. You might notice your child rubs their eyes constantly, complains that their eyes are tired, is constantly squinting (especially at the television) and starts to fall behind in school.
The best way to get a clear diagnosis is by getting your child a comprehensive vision screening and eye exam. The doctor can also identify additional issues such as astigmatism or strabismus (lazy eye) during such an exam.
Managing myopia
Wearing sunglasses and limiting screen time can help preserve your child’s vision. If your child is already experiencing myopia, there are a few ways to slow it down:
- Soft, multifocal contacts are comfortable enough for older kids and can slow down myopia progression up to 25%, compared to single-vision lenses.
- Orthokeratology is a nighttime contact lens that slowly reshapes the cornea while you sleep, similar to the way braces shift the alignment of teeth.
- Atropine drops, which are applied before bed, slow down the progression of myopia by restricting certain growth hormones.
The team at Harlem VistaSite Eye Care has experience dealing with myopia in patients of all ages, and they can help you decide what solutions are best for you or your child.
If you’re concerned about your child’s eyes, schedule a consultation with the specialists at Harlem VistaSite. You can get in touch by calling 646-453-6506 or booking an appointment online.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Why Am I So Sensitive to Light?
Light sensitivity, which is also called photophobia, can be caused by anything from migraines to meningitis. If you’ve found yourself more sensitive to light lately, here’s when to consult a specialist about your photophobia.
The Best Ways to Support Your Vision
Much like both your hearing and dental needs, you must maintain your eye health throughout your life to support your vision. Here are the best ways to keep your sight intact.
Is There a Way to Treat Cataracts Without Surgery?
Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness, but also the most easily corrected. Full replacement of the clouded lens is eventually necessary, but keep reading to learn how to treat the symptoms before you schedule surgery.
Which Type of Contact Lenses Are Right for Me?
You’ve made the decision to transition from wearing glasses to contact lenses. What are your options? Although fitting glasses is about frames, contact lenses are about materials. Here’s what you need to know.
Is My Computer Giving Me Dry Eyes?
Screen time isn’t all bad, but it can have both psychological and physical effects. One of the latter is dry eyes, which can worsen the more time you spend with your computer.