Has COVID-19 Impacted Your Child’s Eyes?
Is your child squinting more than usual? Is she or he having difficulty reading or seeing distant objects, even if they already wear glasses or have recently had an eye exam? Optometrists throughout the country are seeing more cases of myopia than ever before due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The drastic increase in indoor and screen time associated with virtual classrooms is taking a toll on children’s eyes, resulting in what optometrists are calling “quarantine myopia”.
How Has the COVID-19 Lockdown Contributed To Myopia?
COVID-19 has impacted the lives of many, whether through infection or as a result of the ripple effect of this pandemic, such as lockdowns. The periodic school shutdowns are causing children to spend significantly more hours a day inside and in front of their screens. It is, therefore, no coincidence that eye doctors have been detecting a steep rise in myopia cases during this period.
But First, What Is Myopia?
Myopia is a disease where the eye grows too long, causing light to be focused at the front of the retina instead of directly on it. This results in blurred vision when looking at a distant object. Myopia typically starts in childhood and progresses throughout school-age years, meaning a child’s vision continues to deteriorate as their eye grows too long.
While the causes of myopia are not yet fully understood, we now know that genetics and certain environmental factors play a significant role in its development. Doing excessive near work activities, like spending hours on a computer or other digital device, and staying indoors has been linked to the development or progression of myopia in children.
A recent study observed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on over 120,000 Chinese children and found that home confinement had considerably increased myopia levels in those aged 6-8. These children had a diopter change of 0.3 during the lockdown. In other words, their vision significantly deteriorated during the lockdown.
When children have myopia, it’s not just an inconvenience. It can also put them at risk of developing serious, sight-threatening eye diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinal detachment later in life. That’s why so many parents choose myopia management to protect their children’s long-term vision and eye health.
Can Myopia Be Treated?
Yes, it most definitely can! At Treehouse Eyes, we’re committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for your child’s visual and ocular health. That means using the best, most effective treatments to slow or even halt your child’s myopia progression.
We work with you and your child to find the most suitable, convenient, and comfortable myopia treatment based on your child’s needs and lifestyle.
It’s never too early to start treating myopia. Contact your local Treehouse Eyes provider today and see your child’s quality of life improve before your eyes!
Having good eyesight helps us out in a multitude of ways. It keeps us safe as we go about our daily life, and it ensures that we can fully participate in all activities that we engage in. As one of our five senses, it’s important to maintain a healthy sense of sight, and good vision is key to your child enjoying a happy, healthy, and meaningful childhood. At Treehouse Eyes, we specialize in non-invasive myopia care and are dedicated to working through treatment programs with you and your child that suit your child’s lifestyle needs. Are you searching for an effective treatment method for your child’s myopia? Read on to find out more about our non-invasive myopia care in Ohio.
Overnight Contact Lenses in Ohio
With overnight contact lenses, all your child has to do is pop them in at night and remove them the next day when they get up. They can then enjoy clear vision throughout the day without needing to use contact lenses. Overnight contact lenses are recommended for active children who do not have the inclination, time, or patience to maintain daytime contact lenses. If you do not think that your child is up to using daytime contact lenses just yet, you can opt for overnight contact lenses first to get them used to contact lenses.
Daytime Soft Contact Lenses in Missouri
For older children who have demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility, daytime soft contact lenses are typically the best choice. If your child has shown that they are able to maintain high levels of hygiene throughout the day and are able to take care of themselves and their possessions, you can start with daytime soft contact lenses.
Choose Treehouse Eyes for Myopia Care for Kids
Let our specialists at Treehouse Eyes help your child to achieve better vision with our non-invasive treatment methods such as personalized contact lenses and prescription eye drops. Our specialists will provide comprehensive assessments and identify the best treatment plan for your child when it comes to their eye care routine. Thanks to our treatment methods that are non-invasive, you can rest assured that the journey for your child to gain improved eyesight will be effective, comfortable, and time-efficient! If you are thinking of getting prescription eye drop, read about our prescription eye drop disclaimer here.
Looking for more information about our myopia care and treatments for kids in Ohio? To find your nearest Treehouse provider or schedule a consultation, simply click here.