“Can childhood myopia be reversed?”
My daughter is 7 years old. She was diagnosed with myopia. Can childhood myopia be reversed?
2 Answers
Lasik/RefractiveNearVisionSurgeryOphthalmologist
Jason Randall Smith
Optometrist
Myopia/nearsightedness is not a disease but is a refractive condition as to how light or things that are looked at are focused in the eye. In the case of myopia, objects are focused in front of the retina when looking in the distance, so things may appear to be blurry or out of focus. Depending upon the amount of myopia present or measured, objects up close should be clear.
Myopia cannot be reversed or cured, but it can be treated. The goals of treatment are to improve your daughter's vision and to monitor your daughter for changes as she ages. Some options include glasses or contact lenses. These lenses, when placed in front of the eye refocus distance objects onto the retina so that everything will be clear and in focus. Refractive surgery may be an option in the future, but she is too young for this to be considered until at least the age of 21. Please discuss all of her options with your eye doctor, be aware that her eyes will change as she ages, and there will be a need to change her prescription with time. And FYI, I have myopia, and I have been wearing glasses and contact lenses for many years. What I particularly like is the fact that I can always take my glasses off and my computer screen and anything close is always clear. But, this totally depends upon the amount of myopia that your daughter has. Good luck and best wishes.
Myopia cannot be reversed or cured, but it can be treated. The goals of treatment are to improve your daughter's vision and to monitor your daughter for changes as she ages. Some options include glasses or contact lenses. These lenses, when placed in front of the eye refocus distance objects onto the retina so that everything will be clear and in focus. Refractive surgery may be an option in the future, but she is too young for this to be considered until at least the age of 21. Please discuss all of her options with your eye doctor, be aware that her eyes will change as she ages, and there will be a need to change her prescription with time. And FYI, I have myopia, and I have been wearing glasses and contact lenses for many years. What I particularly like is the fact that I can always take my glasses off and my computer screen and anything close is always clear. But, this totally depends upon the amount of myopia that your daughter has. Good luck and best wishes.