The Myopia Control Clinic at West Texas Eye Associates of El Paso is an evidence-based treatment program for myopia, or nearsightedness. As cases of myopia are on the rise, the treatments offered at our specialty clinic seek to slow or even stop the progression of myopia in children, by targeting the growth of the eye, the underlying cause of myopia progression.
The Myopia Control Clinic offers three evidence-based treatments developed in the last decade and based on ample scientific evidence that has shown to be effective for many children. We perform advanced testing, including measurements of the length of the eye, to determine the best treatment method for each child and work with families to customize the treatment plan for their loved ones.
Who Is a Prospective Myopia Control Patient?
The Myopia Control Clinic might also be indicated for children and young adults who do not yet have significant myopia but meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Two myopic parents
- Refractive error of either low hyperopia or low myopia
- Limited time spent outdoors
- Excessive near work ( computer, iPads etc…)
Progressing Myopia and Eye Disease
While myopia is partly genetic, research now points to environmental factors as contributors to this epidemic. More screen time and less outdoor time could be affecting the development of children’s eyes during these critical years of growth.
Although some children’s myopia progresses at an earlier age than others, typically it occurs between 7-18 years of age. Myopia is more than an inconvenience that causes children to need stronger glasses each year. It is a disease that may continue progressing into adulthood and is associated with an increased risk of eye diseases such as:
- Retinal detachments
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
Typically the higher the myopia the greater the risk of developing these conditions, however, research now indicates that any amount of myopia increases the risk of vision-threatening eye problems later in life.
What Treatment Options Does the Myopia Control Clinic Offer?
The West Texas Eye Associates of El Paso Myopia Control Clinic provides treatments based on the latest laboratory and clinical research, which have shown to be effective for many children in large population clinical research studies that have been developed in the last decade. The goal is to stabilize the growth of the eye, the causative factor in myopia progression. In the last decade, four promising treatments have been shown in clinical trials to be effective for most children: contact lenses, multifocal contact lenses, bifocal eyeglasses or PALS, and low dose atropine eye drops.
To learn more about myopia and the importance of treatment please call West Texas Eye Associates of El Paso.
