Hillsboro

(503) 649-7566

Portland

(503) 473-8039

Sherwood

(503) 625-5599

Sherwood (503) 625-5599

Hillsboro (503) 649-7566

Portland (503) 473-8039

ABC VISION

7 Effective Ways to Control Myopia in Children

Many children in the United States are diagnosed with myopia every year. This shows that myopia is a serious health issue that needs to be addressed. As a leading eye care facility in Portland, OR ABC Vision doesn't want to see any of our young patients suffer from this vision disorder, so we've compiled five effective ways to manage myopia in children. These approaches will ensure that your child's vision remains healthy for years.

1. Regular Eye Exams

You must ensure your child has regular eye exams for effective pediatric eye care. The American Optometric Association recommends that children have their eyes checked at least once per year, especially if they are young and cannot communicate any vision issues that may arise. During the exam, the optometrist will check for signs of myopia, such as nearsightedness or blurred vision, when looking at objects far away.

2. Prescription Eyeglasses

In some cases, your optometrist may recommend that your child wear prescription eyeglasses to correct any refractive error they may have. These lenses help reduce the strain on their eyes and make it easier to focus on distant objects. An experienced kids eye doctor will focus on ensuring that the lenses fit comfortably, which can help your child get used to them. You can also consider comprehensive vision therapy to determine the best lens design for your child's eyes.

3. Proper Lighting

Inadequate lighting can cause myopia in children, so ensuring their environment is well-lit is important. Try to use natural rather than artificial light whenever possible, as this type of illumination has proven to be better for the eyes. If your child is studying, ensure they are positioned away from any sources of glare, as this can strain their vision over time.

4. Nutritional Supplements

A healthy diet is important in maintaining good vision, so you must provide your child with a balanced diet. You may also consider providing them with nutritional supplements such as lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc to help improve their eye health. You can also purchase glasses that provide UV protection which can help protect your child's eyes from the damaging effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays.

5. Spending More Time Outside

Comprehensive vision therapy will not work if your child does not spend enough time outdoors. This is why it's important to encourage your child to get outside and play regularly. Not only can outdoor activities help strengthen their vision, but they also benefit from the sun's natural UV protection.

6. Myopia Control Eye Drops

Atropine eye drops are specially formulated and obtained from a private pharmacy to be used every night during the years that your child’s myopia is at risk of progressing (usually through age 15).  Treatment must be continued for at least 2 years or until age 15 whichever is longer and must be carefully monitored when discontinuing the medication in order to avoid a rebound of the myopia.

7. Myopia Control Contact Lenses

Myopia control contact lenses are new FDA approved contacts specifically designed for myopia control.  They may be daily disposable (single use) contact lenses or special hard contact lenses designed to be worn overnight.  Initial evaluation and 6-month follow-up appointments are required to measure stability of myopia, contact lens fit and eye health.

Schedule an Appointment with Pediatric Eye Care for Myopia Control

At ABC Vision, Portland, OR, we believe these five approaches will help your child manage their myopia and keep their vision healthy for years. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with a kids eye doctor, please do not hesitate to contact us at 503-473-8039.


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Our Regular Schedule

Portland

Monday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday

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Thursday

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday

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Saturday

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Sunday

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Hillsboro

Monday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday

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Wednesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday

Closed

Saturday

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Sunday

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Sherwood

Monday

9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Tuesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Portland

Monday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Hillsboro

Monday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Sherwood

Monday
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed