Myopia Management

---

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is more than just needing glasses to see the distance. When it develops in childhood, it often progresses as the eye grows too long. This isn't just a matter of "stronger prescriptions"—it’s about the long-term health of the eye.

As an optometrist, my goal is to move beyond simply correcting blurred vision and toward active management to slow down this progression.

When the eye elongates excessively, the internal structures of the eye are stretched thin. This increases the lifetime risk of serious, sight-threatening conditions:

• Retinal Detachment: The thinning of the retina can lead to tears or detachment.
• Glaucoma: Increased pressure that can damage the optic nerve.
• Myopic Macular Degeneration: Damage to the central vision that cannot be corrected with glasses.
• Cataracts: Nearsighted individuals often develop cataracts earlier in life.

By slowing the rate of change now, we can significantly reduce these risks in adulthood.