Appleton Myopia Control

Myopia Symptoms

• Blurred distance vision: This blurriness can affect activities such as watching television, driving, or recognizing faces from afar. Without proper correction, these tasks can become increasingly challenging and frustrating.
• Frequent squinting: People with myopia may squint frequently in an attempt to see distant objects more clearly. Squinting temporarily improves focus by slightly altering the shape of the eye. However, if done excessively, it can lead to headaches.
• Eye strain and fatigue: Myopia can cause significant eye strain, especially after prolonged periods of focusing on distant objects. This often makes it difficult for people to maintain concentration.
• Headaches: Regular headaches, particularly those occurring after visual tasks that require distance viewing, can be a symptom of uncorrected myopia. These headaches are often caused by the constant effort of the eyes to focus on blurry images. 
• Difficulty seeing at night: People with myopia often notice a decline in their night vision quality. This can make nighttime activities like driving more hazardous, as low light conditions exacerbate the blurriness caused by myopia. 
• The need to sit closer: Myopia can lead children and adults to sit closer to televisions or the front of classrooms to see clearly. This behavior is a common indicator of vision problems and should prompt a comprehensive eye examination. 
• Reduced academic and work performance: The inability to see distant objects clearly can hinder people at work or in school. Myopia affects the ability to read whiteboards, presentations, and other materials, potentially impacting productivity and learning. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the long-term benefits of starting myopia control for my child?

Starting myopia control early offers significant long-term benefits beyond just clearer vision. By slowing down the progression of nearsightedness, we reduce the risk of your child developing high myopia. High myopia is associated with a significantly increased risk of serious sight-threatening conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, and glaucoma. These conditions can lead to irreversible vision loss. Through myopia control, we aim to preserve your child's eye health and protect their vision for a lifetime, enabling them to pursue their passions without the limitations that severe myopia can impose. It's an investment in their overall well-being and future quality of life.

At what age should myopia control typically begin?

Myopia control is most effective when initiated early, ideally as soon as myopia is diagnosed in a child and shows signs of progression. This often falls within the elementary and middle school years, typically between ages 6 and 14, when the eyes are growing most rapidly. Early intervention can maximize the long-term benefits.