High myopia in children

[mcn19]

My children 5 1/2 and 2 year old both have been diagnosed with near sightedness. The 5 year old started with -2.5 and within 8 months jumped to -5.75. I am really concerned about the sudden increase. The opthamologist did not find any other problems with her eyes. I have been reading on the internet about some books claiming eye exercises helping them improve their vision.. has anyone had success? or has anyone tried contact lenses for such young children to help control the increase?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You seemed to be asking for comments for other mothers or parents.

Exercises do not prevent increasing myopia, nor do reading glasses, bifocals. Rigid contact lens can mask increasing myopia but soft contacts do not. The rigid contacts do not actually stop the eye from becoming more myopic.

Look at it this way. A eye that is getting myopic is growing too fast. If a parent decides they don't want a tall child what can they do to stop the child's growth? Answer: nothing that's ethical/legal.

JCH III MD

[mcn19]

there was no comment from you.. any advice?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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