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Home » Eyeglasses & Contacts » Contact Lenses » Myopia Control For Children » The Myopia Epidemic – Nearsightedness in Children

The Myopia Epidemic – Nearsightedness in Children

As adults reach their senior years, they are often presented by their eye doctor that there are early signs of eye disease, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration. While the risk eye disease certainly depends upon age, gender, and race, research has linked myopia or nearsightedness as a major risk factor in developing eye disease. Although nearsightedness develops quickly when we are children, only recently have optometrists like Dr. Hendrickson started promoting the use of myopia control to ensure longer, healthier eyesight for children.

Past generations certainly utilized eyeglasses as the main instrument to correct blurry vision, yet, with advances in medicine and contact lens technology, traditional frames and lenses ought to be the last option for children. The myopia epidemic, as known by many optometrists, refers to the alarming rates of children entering school who require eyeglasses. Some estimate that a quarter of the entire US require vision correction for nearsightedness, for East Asia, the numbers stagger in the 80-90 percentage range. Around 30 percent of all Asian Americans wear glasses for their myopia, compared to less than 20 percent for all other nationalities.

In an effort to slow or stop the progression of myopia and counter the negative effects of nearsightedness, orthokeratology or overnight lenses, atropine drops, and even multifocal contact lenses have shown to correct vision in children and prevent their eyes from worsening.

To learn more about myopia control and helping your child retain healthy eyesight, schedule an eye exam with Dr. Hendrickson, today.