Exploring Nearsightedness in Kids

A doctor in Miami Beach will see a number of patients on a daily basis, and many of them are children that need to be examined. It’s actually recommended for a parent to take their child to see an eye doctor even if they are not complaining of visual problems. Most doctors recommend that a parent have their child’s eyes examined at 6 months old, 3 years old, and before the child begins kindergarten or first grade. This is because any visual issues a child is having can have a drastic impact on the way they interact with other people and how they are able to learn while in school. It’s especially important for a parent to have their child examined by a Miami eye doctor if they have a family history of optical issues. If both of a child’s parents have myopia, or nearsightedness, then there’s a good chance the child will also develop the same condition.

Information About Nearsightedness in Children

It’s not guaranteed that a child will develop nearsightedness even if both of their parents have it, but there is a good chance of it happening. Here are some things your eye doctor in Miami may tell you about nearsightedness in children:

• Children who are going to be nearsighted often express symptoms at an early age. However, it’s important for a parent to be on the lookout for the symptoms because many children are not even aware that there’s a problem with their sight.
• Parents who are nearsighted may want to take their kids in for an eye exam at least once per year; this way, they can catch the issue before it causes any problems in their kid’s life.
• An untreated case of nearsightedness can cause a number of health issues for a child, including amblyopia and crossed eyes.
• Treating nearsightedness is a simple thing for an eye doctor to do, regardless of how old someone is.

How Children with Myopia are Treated

Those who know that their children are nearsighted or are developing the condition are likely wondering how their Miami Beach eye doctor is going to handle the issue, especially if the child is only two or three years old. However, the doctor is going to treat a young child with myopia the same way they would treat a teenager or an adult with the same issue. Eyeglasses will be prescribed to combat the refractive problem, or contacts can be used as well. Contacts are only recommended for children that are mature enough to care for them properly or for children that have parents who are closely involved in their lives. Improper contact care can lead to eye infections and worse, which is why most parents request a pair of glasses for their child to keep track of on their own.

photo credit: rvcroffi Olho verde via photopin (license)