Myopia Control

If you or your child squint at screens, complain of blurry vision, or have to get closer to signs to read them, it’s time to contact Daniel Rafaelov, OD, at Eyecrafters Optical for myopia control. He helps patients in Downtown Brooklyn, New York City, with nearsightedness and protects their long-term vision. To learn more about your options for myopia control, call the office or book your appointment online today.

What is myopia control?

Myopia is more commonly called nearsightedness. It makes it harder to see objects at a distance, but as it gets worse, you may have to be within arm’s length or closer to see things clearly. The condition usually starts developing before children reach age 10, and then progresses or worsens through the teenage years.

This condition is cropping up more frequently around the world. This may be due to genetics, an increased reliance on up-close technology like phones and computers for work and play, environmental factors, or some combination.

Myopia control can be thought of as myopia management. It aims to keep the condition from worsening as much as possible.

Get in touch with Eyecrafters Optical if you notice you or your child:

• Squint when trying to read or watch TV
• Move closer and closer to screens or computers
• Are unable to read billboards, signs, or whiteboards until they’re close

The sooner you seek treatment for nearsightedness, the better Dr. Rafaelov will be able to help you keep your vision sharp.

Can myopia control prevent nearsightedness?

If you or your child is nearsighted, it’s due to the eyes growing too quickly and too long for the usual rate of eye growth. Children’s eyes ideally grow steadily until the teenage years, then growth stabilizes.

In cases of myopia, however, the eyes’ rapid growth causes increasing vision blurring and ongoing eye growth through the teenage years and into early adulthood. This continuing deterioration is called myopia progression.

Myopia control can’t prevent myopia, but it can slow it down and give you better vision outcomes. If you notice your child has trouble seeing or focusing their vision, rely on the pediatric eye care services at Eyecrafters Optical.

How is myopia treated?

Traditionally, optometrists treat myopia with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Dr. Rafaelov utilizes traditional and more current treatments, which include:

• Orthokeratology, or ortho-k — gas-permeable lenses worn while sleeping to gently correct the cornea’s shape
• Multifocal contact lenses to reduce eye strain
• Atropine eye drops to relax the eyes’ focusing mechanisms
• More time outdoors

Eyecrafters Optical tailors your myopia control plan to your unique needs and eye shape, prescribing lenses that are comfortable to wear and paying close attention to any changes in your vision.

As part of your myopia control, Dr. Rafaelov may recommend vision therapy. Vision therapy targets some of the factors that contribute to myopia, such as poor focusing skills.

Call Eyecrafters Optical or book an appointment online today to schedule an eye exam and see what a difference myopia control can make.