August 13, 2024

Why Glasses Are Not the Solution for Progressive Myopia

What Is Progressive Myopia? Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error that causes blurred distance vision. It occurs when the eyeball grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of…
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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

What Is Progressive Myopia?

Girl on laptop wearing glassesMyopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error that causes blurred distance vision. It occurs when the eyeball grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

Progressive myopia is nearsightedness that worsens each year, requiring a significant increase in vision correction of at least half a diopter.

Myopia progression is a rising concern among eyecare professionals because there is overwhelming scientific evidence that high levels of myopia are a risk factor for serious eye diseases in the future, such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment and myopic macular degeneration. Is your child’s prescription rapidly changing? If so, contact Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance in Victoria. We offer myopia management, which can help slow down or even halt rapidly progressing myopia.

Why Are Glasses Not A Solution?

For decades, distance vision glasses have been prescribed to nearsighted patients to correct myopia, but according to the latest research, they may actually cause myopia to worsen.

Glasses correct distance vision by manipulating the way light is focused onto the retina. However, glasses only offer clearer central vision but don?t address images in the peripheral visual field. To compensate for this blurred peripheral vision, the retina actually stretches out in length ? rendering the eye more nearsighted and exacerbating the underlying cause of worsening myopia.

What Is Myopia Management?

Myopia management is a specialized, scientifically proven program that slows or halts myopia progression in children and young adults.

If your child?s myopia has been rapidly increasing each year, myopia management can help slow it down or even halt its progression.

At Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance, we will assess your child?s eyes and vision and discuss the best myopia management strategy that will be most effective in controlling your child?s myopia progression.

To schedule your child?s myopia consultation, contact Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance in Victoria today!

Our practice serves patients from Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions with Scott Irvine, O.D.

Q: #1: How does myopia affect a child?

  • A: A child with uncorrected myopia will typically experience eyestrain as they attempt to focus on faraway objects to see them more clearly. Other symptoms include headaches, tired and itchy eyes, blurred vision, and neck and shoulder pain.

Q: #2: Why are glasses not a treatment for progressive myopia?

  • A: While glasses correct progressive nearsightedness through ever-stronger prescriptions, they don?t treat the underlying problem: the elongated shape of the eye.

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Our Victoria Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
200-775 Topaz Ave
Victoria, BC V8T 4Z7
Phone
(250) 590-7384
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
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  • Monday:
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  • Tuesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Thursday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Friday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Sunday:
    Closed
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Out of 265 Reviews
Our Nanaimo Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
205-1825 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1
Phone
(250) 591-0270
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Thursday:
    11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Friday:
    9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    Closed
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
4.9
Out of 59 Reviews

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  • What is Neuro-Optometry?

    Neuro-Optometry focuses on the intricate connection between your visual system and the brain, extending beyond traditional eye care to assess functional vision. This branch of optometry examines how your eyes track, move, coordinate, and how your brain processes depth, motion, and balance. Disruptions in these functions can lead to a range of issues including headaches, migraines, dizziness, balance challenges, post-concussion symptoms, reading difficulties, and attention deficits (ADHD). By exploring these functional areas, we also identify opportunities to enhance performance in activities such as sports, reading speed, and cognitive processes.

  • What is Vision Therapy?

    At Opto-Mization, vision therapy is a specialized, personalized program aimed at improving visual skills and abilities. It goes beyond traditional vision therapy to help improve how the eyes and brain work together, addressing visual-motor and perceptual-cognitive challenges to enhance overall visual function. It’s more than just exercises; it’s a pathway to better vision and improved daily life.

  • Do you Provide Regular Eye Exams and General Optometric Services?

    Yes, alongside vision therapy and neuro-optometry, we offer comprehensive eye exams and general optometry services. Our experienced optometrists perform thorough eye exams to evaluate overall eye health, identify any eye conditions or diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses when beneficial.

  • Who is the Ideal Candidate for Vision Therapy and Neuro-Optometry?

    Vision therapy and neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help individuals of all ages. Whether you’re struggling with visual processing issues, binocular vision disorders, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye misalignment), or have sustained a brain injury, our services might be beneficial for you. Contact us to discuss if our tailored approach can meet your specific needs and goals.

  • Do I Need a Referral to See an Optometrist at Opto-Mization?

    No, you do not need a referral for an eye exam at Opto-Mization. We welcome anyone who suspects they might benefit from our services, whether you’re experiencing symptoms of visual discomfort or just want to ensure optimal visual performance. Feel free to reach out and schedule your appointment directly with us to take the first step toward understanding and improving your visual function.

  • Do You Direct Bill Insurance?

    Yes, we offer direct billing for a variety of insurance plans to make the process as seamless and hassle-free as possible for our patients. Our knowledgeable staff is well-versed in working with insurance providers, ensuring that you can maximize your benefits while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses for our services, including vision therapy and eye exams.