Bring Your Child’s World into Focus
Myopia, also called nearsightedness, is a refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurry while near objects remain clear.
Nearly 30% of Canadiansmost common refractive error and one of the leading causes of impaired vision.
Myopia generally develops during childhood, while the eyes are still growing. It occurs if the eye grows too long or the cornea curves too steeply, causing the light entering your eye to focus in front of the retina.
What Causes Myopia?
Myopia occurs because of the shape of the eye. Why does the eye grow like this in the first place? The truth of the matter is, myopia is caused by a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. While there is evidence that shows a hereditary component, increased near work (like writing or reading) and time spent indoors are also thought to raise the risk of developing myopia.
Myopia can easily be diagnosed during a routine eye exam. It’s essential that refractive errors are diagnosed and managed early. Children with undiagnosed vision problems often struggle in school.
Myopia Symptoms
Children aren’t always aware they have a vision problem, which is why regular children’s eye exams are so important.
You may notice your child exhibiting symptoms of a vision problem yourself. If your child shows any of the following signs, book them for an eye exam as soon as possible:
- Squinting
- Sitting too close to the TV or at the front of the classroom
- Excessive blinking
- Frequent eye rubbing
- Unaware of distant objects
- Headaches
- Complaining of blurry vision
Myopia Treatment
There’s no cure for myopia, but glasses and contact lenses are common and effective ways to refocus your eyes to provide clear vision. Corrective eye surgery, like LASIK and PRK, is also available to correct refractive errors in adults.
There is also ongoing research on various methods of slowing or preventing myopia development in children.
Multifocal Spectacles
There has been extensive research on the effectiveness of multifocal spectacles in slowing myopia’s progression in children.
Multifocal lenses contain distance power in the top portion of the lens and reading power in the bottom part. The lenses are designed to reduce or eliminate the accommodative effort associated with myopia progression.
Answers to Your Myopia Questions
If your child has been diagnosed with myopia, we have no doubt you have many questions about how your child’s life will be affected. Dr. Randhawa and our team at Legacy Eye Care would be happy to answer them!
Please book your child for an appointment so we can complete a comprehensive eye exam and discuss the best options available.
Our Services
Small Town,
You don’t have to make the drive to Edmonton to find fashionable frames at an affordable price. We carry unique brands you won’t find anywhere else in Stony Plain, from Etnia Barcelona and Nikon to Kate Spade and Oakley, we have frames that suit any style!
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Where to Find Us
You can find our beautiful new clinic behind the Best Western, just off 43rd Avenue in Atim Creek Centre.
We direct bill to all major insurance providers, including Blue Cross, Manulife, Great West Life, Sun Life Financial, Alberta Works, Dejardins, and so many more!
Our Address
#119-3003 43 AvenueStony Plain, AB T7Z 0H4
Hours of Operation
Monday
9 AM – 3 PM
Tuesday
10 AM – 6 PM
Wednesday
9 AM – 5 PM
Thursday
9 AM – 5 PM
Friday
9 AM – 5 PM
Saturday
9 AM – 3 PM
Sunday
Closed
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Legacy Eye Care
- #119-3003 43 Avenue
- Stony Plain, AB T7Z 0H4
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P: 780.968.9665
F: 780-968-9611
[email protected]