Myopia Explained: Causes, Risks, and Comprehensive Management Options

Myopia is a vision condition that affects the ability to see distant objects clearly. As one of the most prevalent refractive errors worldwide, myopia is becoming increasingly common—particularly among children and adolescents. Understanding the causes, potential risks, and management options for myopia is essential to protect long-term eye health and preserve clear vision.

What Causes Myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. While the exact cause of myopia isn't entirely understood, it typically results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

• Genetics: Children with one or both myopic parents have a higher risk of developing myopia.

• Lifestyle Factors: Increased time spent on near-work activities like reading or screen time, and limited outdoor exposure, have been associated with a higher risk of myopia development and progression.

Risks Associated with Myopia

While mild myopia may seem manageable with glasses or contact lenses, progressive or high myopia can lead to serious complications. These include:

• Retinal detachment

• Glaucoma

• Myopic maculopathy

• Cataracts

These risks increase as the degree of myopia worsens. That’s why early detection and effective management are crucial, especially for children whose eyes are still growing.

The Importance of Myopia Management

Myopia management goes beyond just correcting blurry distance vision—it’s about slowing the progression of the condition to help reduce long-term risks. With the right approach, eye care professionals can significantly reduce the rate of myopia progression, helping to preserve ocular health into adulthood. At Global Vision Optometry, we take a proactive approach to managing myopia with evidence-based strategies tailored to each patient’s needs.

Atropine Eye Drops

Low-dose atropine drops are a clinically proven method to slow the progression of myopia in children. These medicated drops are typically applied nightly and work by affecting the eye's focusing mechanism. They do not correct vision on their own, so patients still need glasses or contact lenses for clear sight, but they can be a powerful tool in slowing eye growth.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, involves wearing custom-designed rigid gas-permeable contact lenses overnight to gently reshape the cornea. In the morning, the lenses are removed, and clear vision is maintained throughout the day without the need for glasses or contacts. Beyond providing daytime freedom from lenses, Ortho-K has been shown to effectively slow myopia progression in children.

Multifocal Contact Lenses

Specialized multifocal lenses are designed to provide clear vision while also reducing the stimulus for myopia progression. These options are particularly effective for children who are not ready for Ortho-K or atropine therapy.

Supporting Families in Huntington Beach

Myopia is more than just a vision inconvenience—it’s a growing public health concern with long-term implications. Our optometrists are committed to helping you or your child manage myopia with proven, comprehensive treatments like atropine eye drops and Ortho-K therapy.

Schedule your child’s eye exam with Global Vision Optometry to learn how we can help protect your family's vision with myopia management strategies tailored to their needs. Visit our office in Huntington Beach, California, or call (714) 780-2008 to book an appointment today.