Bundaberg Optometrist
Tel 07 4139 0101
What is Myopia?
Myopia, also known as short-sightedness, is a condition where the eyes are focused at near objects making distant objects blurry.
Signs & Symptoms
Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea has too much curvature, causing light to enter and focus in front of the retina (making a blurry image) instead of on the retina (the correct focus).
​
Myopia typically worsens from childhood through late teens or early twenties. Myopia is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination that includes vision tests, refraction checks, and an eye health evaluation.
​
Symptoms
-
Blurry vision when looking in the distance
-
Squinting
-
Eye strain
-
Headaches
Treatments
There are several treatments available for treating myopia including glasses, contact lenses, and specialty prescription lenses and contact lenses. While there is no cure for myopia, treatment and close monitoring can help slow its progression.
Slowing the progression of myopia is particularly important for health of your child's eyes. When the eye is short-sighted, the blurry signal in front of the retina can stimulate further growth of an eye which has already grown longer than normal. This growth stretches the retina which may lead to increased risk of retinal detachment, macula disease, cataracts and glaucoma. ​​​​​​​
Our Myopia Clinic
Treating myopia begins with early detection. At The Oculists, we have technology which allows us to measure the axial length of the eye in a quick non-invasive way. ​If your child is diagnosed with Myopia, we will book them in our specialised Myopia clinic where we check the axial length and prescription of their eyes every 6 months to monitor for progression.
We offer specialty myopia control spectacle lenses and contact lens. Our optometrists are also therapeutically endorsed to prescribe low dose atropine eye drops which have been proven to help slow the progression of myopia. There are many different treatment options available and we will be able to discuss the best management plan for you and your child.