Myopia Control in Kids

When kids have myopia, also called nearsightedness, it often gets worse quickly. It can progress quite far while the child is still young. By adulthood, the prescription will be much more stable, but the progression of myopia in childhood will affect how well the person sees as an adult. Myopia in children usually means that the child needs to wear glasses and will often have worse vision at every pediatric eye exam. With myopia control for kids, there is help to slow the progression of this condition. Contact Karns Vision if you live in or around Knoxville and have concerns about your child’s vision.

Ortho-K Contacts

Ortho-K contact lenses are a specialty type of lens that isn't worn throughout the day like traditional contacts. Instead, these are worn only at night. When it's time for bed, the child puts in the contacts and goes to sleep. They wear them all night and remove them in the morning. These contacts accomplish two things for kids.

They put a little bit of pressure on the eyes to change their shape subtly. This allows kids to go without glasses during the day. Many kids love this effect. The other way these contacts help is in myopia control. These contacts, when worn every night, can keep myopia in children from getting worse. In many patients, it stops the progression of myopia. In others, it slows it down.

Eye Drops

Myopia control in kids can also be done with medicated eye drops. Called atropine, these drops can have the same effect as ortho-k lenses. They can stop or slow the progression of myopia in children. These are given to the child at night just before they go to bed. When used consistently, they can have a big impact on how well the child will see when they are an adult.

Contact Our Optometrists in Knoxville, TN

Myopia control in kids is a good way to help your child's vision in the long run. To get a pediatric eye exam from an optometrist, call Karns Vision today at (865) 247-7715 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.