– and keep an eye on your child’s vision –

With 13-19 May being Myopia Awareness Week, we thought it appropriate to bring this condition to your awareness.

Before we continue, however, remember to buy a pair of designer sunglasses to put yourself in line to be a winner…

Medical terms can be confusing so, what is myopia, you may ask. In simple terms it is near-sightedness and occurs when the shape of your eye causes light rays to bend (refract) incorrectly, focusing images in front of your retina instead of on your retina.

The structure of the eye that causes myopia can have either the eye lens being too convex or curved. When your eyeball is too long, or the cornea, which is the protective outer layer of your eye, is too curved, the light that enters your eye won’t focus correctly.

Myopia is a common eye condition that may develop gradually or rapidly, often worsening during childhood and adolescence. It tends to run in families and, with its rise in occurrence, it is regarded as a global epidemic.

Symptoms of myopia include:

• distant objects being blurry,
• squinting or partially closing the eyelids to see clearly,
• eye-strain headaches,
• the need to sit close to the television, computer screen, the blackboard or a book,
• blinking excessively.

There is no cure for myopia but here are a few suggestions that your optometrist will recommend to ensure you see more clearly.

• Wear prescription glasses or contact lenses.
• Lazer eye surgery – but not recommended for anyone under the age of 18 years.
• Eating a healthy diet and resting your eyes will help slow the progression of near-sightedness.
• Certain eye drops are known to slow the progression of myopia in children.
• Orthokeratology applies specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses that temporarily reshape the eyeball while you sleep. In the morning, the lenses are removed, and you have clear vision without the use of contact lenses or glasses.

Myopia is often first detected during childhood and is commonly diagnosed from early school years through to teens. We implore you to take note of any symptoms your child may display and get professional advice.

We welcome you to visit us in The Atrium Berea, 430 Peter Mokaba Ridge, in Overport, where we will determine the degree of your child’s myopia and advise you on the options available. We are here to help you help your and your children’s eyes.