Myopia and your child

Can Myopia be reversed?

 Is it possible to reverse myopia? That’s a question many of those with nearsightedness have probably asked at one point or another. Glasses can correct this common refractive error but can’t turn the clock back.

Myopia can’t be reversed, but myopia control can slow its progression in kids whose eyes are still growing. Regular eye exams play a crucial role in managing myopia. They allow optometrists to monitor your eye’s progression and adjust prescriptions accordingly. While we can’t hit ‘undo’ on myopia, we can certainly take steps to manage it effectively.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition that affects nearly 30% of Americans. It’s a type of refractive error—a problem with your eyes that affects how you see. In a healthy eye, light rays land directly on the retina, the layer of light-reactive cells at the back of the eye. The retina sends this information through the optic nerve, where the brain turns it into an image.

Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long, or the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) is overly curved, causing the light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina instead of onto it. This makes it difficult to see distant objects clearly, while close objects are typically sharp and clear.

What Causes Myopia?

Although myopia can affect people of any age, it usually emerges in childhood and worsens during adolescence. Genetics play a major role in determining who develops myopia; if one or both parents have myopia, their children are at higher risk of developing it as well. However, environmental factors may also increase your chances, such as:

• Excessive screen time
• Lack of outdoor activities
• Reading in poor lighting conditions

Correcting Myopic Vision

The most common treatment for myopia is prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Eyeglasses are available in many styles and designs, offering a stylish way to meet your unique needs. For people who prefer a more natural look, contact lenses are an alternative to glasses that sit directly on the eye.

Whatever you choose, these devices work by bending light to focus it directly on the retina, which can improve visual acuity and clarity for people with refractive errors. Your optometrist has to measure your refractive error with an eye exam to determine the correct prescription.

Myopia Control

Since myopia can worsen until a child’s eyes stabilize around age 20, myopia control focuses on slowing down the rate at which a child’s myopia progresses. Every child’s eyes are unique, so myopia control plans are individualized to meet each child’s needs.

After an eye exam, our doctors may recommend a range of myopia control methods. Be sure and discuss these with Dr Brian and Dr Boyer

(909) 596-6756 LaVerne (909) 982-0100 Upland

 www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among older Americans. People with AMD can save their vision thanks to recent treatment advances, but early detection is a critical first step. Make your appointment today. (909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #AMD #maculardegeneration www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Men’s Health

You workout. You try your best to eat healthy. You drink plenty of water. But what about your eyes? What does it takes to keep your vision healthy? Your eye health has a major correlation to the rest of your overall health.

Part of staying healthy is making sure you’re on top of your preventative checkups. However, men tend to schedule 1/2 as many health visits as women.

Maybe you don’t wear glasses or contacts and haven’t had any issues with your eyes. You might think, “Why would I need to go the eye doctor every year?” It turns out that men have a higher mortality for most leading causes of death including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Early warning signs of these diseases can be found through an eye exam.

In partnership with an eye exam, you can also diminish your risk with proper nutrition. Research has shown nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin, found in leafy green vegetables and eggs, can support healthy vision. As well as vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, which can be found in whole, unprocessed fruits and vegetables.

Schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam today with Dr Boyer or Dr Brian to ensure you’re staying on top of your health and can work with your doctor’s to address any issues.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750

 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD www.drboyeroptometrist.com

What is Astigmatism?

First. Astigmatism is quite common. 75% of us have astigmatism. That is, most of us have some small amount. Often, in smaller amounts, astigmatism doesn't cause problems and requires no correction. However, in larger amounts, astigmatism can cause blurry vision both close up and far away. 

Astigmatism means that the cornea, the front of the eye, is warped. It's not a disease and does not cause blindness but the warped cornea causes distorted vision that can result in headaches and eye strain. It's easily corrected with spectacles but soft contacts won't correct for astigmatism. However, rigid gas permeable contact lenses and soft toric lenses will work.

Also, LASIK can correct for astigmatism. 

Often, a young person and some adults with significant astigmatism will pass a vision screening. Another reason why yearly eye exams are important starting at school age.

Schedule your family’s eye exams with Dr Boyer Optometrist 

When should I have my child's eyes examined?

This is an important question that needs to be explained. A simple answer to your question is really anytime. We even examine infants' eyes here at the office. If there's a history of strabismus (eye turn), high astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia we will often do an eye exam around 2 to 3 years of age.

More routine exams should start around 4 to 5 years of age. Sometimes parents may confuse a visual acuity screening with an eye exam. This is where the child will be asked to read the letters on a chart at the doctors office or at a school screening. This is not an eye exam!  While this is useful and good it primarily picks up myopia. About 1 in 3 cases that need glasses will be missed. These missed cases include things like astigmatism or hyperopia. These are problems that can definitely affect your child's performance at school.

I think an easy rule of thumb to remember is, if your child is old enough to go to school they should get an eye exam every year. If there's a history of unusual eye problems in the family bring your child in sooner.

Take advantage of summer break--get your child's eyes checked so they can start the new school year with perfect vision at Drboyeroptometrist.com