Question 1

What Is Myopia?

Accepted Answer

Medically, myopia is defined as an eye where the light of the world is not focused on the movie screen of the eye. This causes patients with myopia to experience blurry vision in the distance.

Myopia is commonly referred to as nearsightedness because patients with myopia often see nearby objects clearly.

Question 2

Why Is Myopia a Problem?

Accepted Answer

A highly myopic eye is an eye that has grown too big. This excessive growth causes blurry vision, but that's only part of the story.

Higher levels of myopia increase the risk of severe eye diseases such as myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal detachments, and cataracts. Unfortunately, myopic eyes rarely stay the same size during childhood. Instead, they usually continue growing faster than they should, further increasing the risk of vision-threatening diseases year after year.

Question 3

Is Myopia Curable? Do Treatments Really Work?

Accepted Answer

Although there is no cure for myopia, several treatments have been proven to slow down the progression of myopia in children and young adults. With myopia management, we aim to prevent your child's eyes from continuing to grow too big. Our treatment protocols are highly effective in reducing myopia progression in kids.

Question 4

What Causes Myopia?

Accepted Answer

There are many theories about the causes of myopia, and this is an area of significant research. Studies suggest that the cause of myopia is multifactorial. Risk factors include genetics, environmental conditions, insufficient time outdoors, ethnicity, prolonged close-up activities, too much screen time, and low vitamin D levels.

Question 5

Why Have I Never Heard About Myopia Before?

Accepted Answer

In the past, most doctors did not worry about myopia because glasses and contact lenses allowed most patients with myopia to see clearly. Also, doctors did not worry as vision worsened year after year because all they had to do was increase the glasses and contact lens powers to compensate for their patient's increasingly worse vision.  
 
However, new research shows that myopia is an independent and significant risk factor for serious eye diseases that cause vision loss in many adults.

This is why organizations that guide eye doctors, such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association, have prioritized raising awareness of the risks of myopia for doctors and the general public. As time passes, we expect much more information about myopia to be available to the general public.

Question 6

Will Myopia Get Worse?

Accepted Answer

Unless treated, childhood myopia will usually continue to worsen until eyeball growth ceases in early adulthood. Unfortunately, the damage caused by this excessive growth could significantly impact your child as an adult, as their risk for developing vision impairment is drastically higher.

Question 7

Is Myopia Hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Myopia tends to run in families. Children are much more likely to become myopic if both parents are myopic. Ethnicity also plays into the risk factors.

However, recent studies indicate that our environment and how children use their eyes play an even more significant role in myopia development.

Question 8

Does Screen Time Make Myopia Worse?

Accepted Answer

Recent studies show there is a link between increased screen time and myopia.

Question 9

What Treatments Are Available?

Accepted Answer

Special contact lenses and prescription eye drops have been proven to lower the risks associated with myopia. An effective myopia management program will assess your child's risk level, lifestyle, and personal preferences to develop a customized treatment plan. After treatment is begun, regular and repeated follow-ups are required to ensure our treatment plan continues to be effective and determine whether a change in treatment is needed.

Question 10

Can't My Child Just Wear Glasses or Standard Contacts?

Accepted Answer

Glasses and standard contacts only compensate for blurry vision. They do not stop myopia from getting worse. Only special contact lenses and eye drops can help reduce myopia progression.

Question 11

What Age Is Best to Start Treatment?

Accepted Answer

Myopia treatment is the most effective when started as early as possible. Our myopia management program begins at age 6.

Question 12

How Long Should My Child Receive Treatment?

Accepted Answer

Myopia treatment typically continues until early adulthood, when the eye naturally stops growing. Therefore, treatment is recommended until your child reaches maturity. Once the chances of progression stop, treatment stops.

Question 13

Can Any Doctor Treat Myopia?

Accepted Answer

Special equipment and training are necessary to treat myopia properly. Gig Harbor Eye Care provides the highest level of myopia management.

We are experts in every type of treatment available, using proprietary treatment algorithms and contact lens designs to provide the most advanced level of care possible.

Question 14

My Child Already Has a High Prescription or High Astigmatism. Is Treatment Still Possible?

Accepted Answer

Children with high prescriptions and astigmatism are still candidates for myopia management. We offer a variety of treatments and personalize treatment plans to meet the individual needs of every child.

Question 15

Does Insurance Cover Myopia Treatment?

Accepted Answer

Insurance covers the disease-related complications of myopia but does not cover the treatment of myopia itself. Therefore, myopia treatment is a self-pay service.

Itemized receipts that reflect the services rendered are available as needed for self-submission to insurance companies, but most do not cover this service.

However, most FSA/HSA plans allow coverage of a myopia management program like ours.

Question 16

What Is the Cost of Myopia Treatment?

Accepted Answer

The initial consultation is free!

The cost of the program varies depending on the treatment plan. Monthly payment plans are available.

Question 17

How Do I Start Myopia Treatment?

Accepted Answer

We require the completion of a comprehensive vision exam within 90 days before a myopia management consultation. If you received a comprehensive vision exam from another eye clinic, please have them send your records to us. Or, contact us, and we’ll get those records for you.
 
Call us at 253-313-5652 to speak to a myopia counselor today!

Myopia FAQ