Myopia Management for Children in Sioux Falls, SD
Over the past few decades, myopia (nearsightedness) has become a growing concern among children in Sioux Falls. With the increased use of screens and less time spent outdoors, more children are being diagnosed with myopia at an earlier age.
At The Eye Guys, our Sioux Falls eye doctors provide advanced myopia management to help protect your child’s vision and slow its progression.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while close-up objects remain clear. It occurs when the eyeball grows too long, or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Myopia usually begins in childhood and progresses until the early twenties.
Risk Factors for Nearsightedness in Children in Sioux Falls
Several factors can increase a child's likelihood of developing myopia, including:
- Family History: If one or both parents are nearsighted, there’s a higher chance your child will develop myopia.
- Increased Near Work: Activities that require prolonged focus on nearby objects, like reading or using digital devices, can contribute to the development of myopia.
- Reduced Outdoor Time: Studies have shown that children who spend less time outdoors are more likely to develop myopia. Natural light is believed to help regulate eye growth.
- Early Onset: Children who develop myopia at a younger age are more likely to experience a faster progression.
How Do You Know Your Child Has Myopia?
Myopia can sometimes go unnoticed because children may not realize their vision is impaired. Here are some signs that your child may have myopia:
- Squinting to see distant objects, like the whiteboard at school
- Sitting too close to the TV or holding books very close to their face
- Frequent complaints of headaches or tired eyes
- Difficulty seeing objects or people from a distance
- Rubbing the eyes or blinking excessively
If you notice any of these signs, book a myopia management consultation for your child with our Sioux Falls eye doctors.
The Importance of Managing Myopia in Sioux Falls, SD
Without proper management, myopia tends to worsen over time, especially in children whose eyes are still developing. High myopia affects your child’s daily life and school performance and increases their risk of severe eye health issues later in life.
Our Sioux Falls myopia management program aims to slow the progression of myopia, preserve clear vision, and protect your child’s long-term eye health.
How The Eye Guys Manage
Myopia in Children
Our myopia management services in Sioux Falls begin with a comprehensive eye exam to assess your child’s vision and determine the extent of their myopia. During the exam, our optometrists take the time to understand their needs and lifestyle, ensuring we have a complete picture of their eye health.
Based on the results, we develop a treatment plan designed to slow the progression of myopia. Our personalized management plans include the following specialty contact lenses:
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
This non-surgical treatment involves wearing gas-permeable contact lenses overnight to reshape the cornea. When your child wakes up and removes the lenses, they can see clearly without glasses or daytime contact lenses.
Ortho-K not only corrects vision temporarily but also helps slow myopia progression—making it a great choice for active kids in Sioux Falls.
MiSight® Contact Lenses
MiSight® is a soft, daily disposable contact lens designed for children with myopia. These lenses are FDA-approved to slow myopia progression in children ages 8 to 12.
MiSight myopia management contact lenses correct your child’s vision while utilizing special technology to influence how light is focused on the eye, helping to slow the eye’s growth and control myopia progression.
Schedule an Eye Exam in Sioux Falls, SD
The Eye Guys is proud to be a trusted choice for myopia management in Sioux Falls. Our optometrists are dedicated to helping children achieve healthy, clear vision through early and effective management of myopia.
If you suspect your child may be nearsighted or if they’ve already been diagnosed with myopia, schedule an eye exam with The Eye Guys to learn more about our Sioux Falls myopia management treatments.