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Myopia is another term for being nearsighted. At Clinton Eye Associates in Clinton, CT, we treat patients of all ages experiencing this condition. We are proud to be the oldest and largest myopia control practice in New England. If you or your child has been affected by myopia, Dr. Ostrom and his team are here to help.
What Is Myopia?
Children and adults can get myopia due to a variety of factors. It can be genetic or caused by environmental factors. People experiencing myopia see things as blurry rather than clear when looking away. It starts mild at first, and if left untreated, becomes more aggressive over time.
Symptoms include:
- squinting when looking at distances
- headaches from eye strain
- the need to move closer to objects to see them
Many people seek treatment when they see a pattern of blurriness that does not go away or when they have difficulty performing previous activities or functions that involve the ability to use sight. It is important to get an eye exam immediately after experiencing any symptoms of myopia. Visiting our optometrist for an eye exam yearly can help detect nearsightedness early and allow us to implement myopia control treatments faster.
Myopia Control
There is more than one course of treatment available for myopia control. Treatments can include glasses, eye drops, contact lenses, or a modern form of therapy called orthokeratology, or Ortho-K. Everyone's eyes are different, and both the left eye and the right eye will need different levels of treatment.
Ortho-K (Orthokeratology)
Orthokeratology (or Ortho-K) is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment the works while the patient sleeps. The patient wears small contact lenses, a different one for each eye, depending on what the eyes need. Over some time, the surface of the eye, called the cornea, starts to change its shape. This helps keep the cornea of the eye from continuing to elongate, preventing the progression of myopia.
Multifocal Contact Lenses
Multifocal contact lenses help prevent the progression of myopia during the day. This lets a person see clearly at longer distances. Over time, this also helps correct a person's vision, as the muscles aren't having to work so hard (continually squinting and straining) to get a clear picture.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
During an eye exam, our optometrist may choose to dilate your eyes. This is done with high dosage atropine drops. In lower doses, atropine relaxes the eyes, which can help when the eyes have become overstrained.
Multifocal Glasses
Multifocal glasses have long been a solution for people who have vision issues. These help the eyes relax. Yearly eye exams can tell you whether you need new eyeglasses each year or not. We offer a wide variety of frames for you to choose from if you do need eyeglasses.
Get Myopia Control in Clinton, CT
Dr. Ostrom is a Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control since 2006. He has lectured extensively on this topic and mentored other doctors. At Clinton Eye Associates, we specialize in myopia control. If you or your child has been affected by myopia, call us today at (860) 669-2020 to schedule an appointment.