Category: Blog

While the term myopia control may sound unfamiliar or scary, it may be a perfect fit for your family’s eye care needs! Myopia control is the medical term used to describe specific treatments to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children. According to healthychildren.org, nearsightedness is a common vision problem that often begins between 6 and 14 and affects roughly 5% of preschoolers, 9% of school-aged children, and 30% of adolescents. 

Your Child’s Eye Development

Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long (from front to back) or if your eye’s cornea is too curved. As a result, the light that enters your eye falls short of the retina, causing your eye to have a harder time focusing the way it should. This lack of focus results in distant objects being blurry and close objects being clear. 

Myopia generally gets worse through adolescence, which is why we see increasing percentages of myopia in older age groups. In most cases, an individual’s prescription will start to stabilize in their early twenties. However, for some this stabilization may take longer and can result in higher myopia prescriptions later in life. Severe myopia can lead to a higher risk for some vision-threatening complications including, glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, and even blindness.

Myopia Control Options

The good news is eye care professionals have four ways to offer myopia control treatment, listed below. Interested in learning what myopia control treatments we offer? Call our office to schedule an appointment today!

• atropine eye drops
• multifocal contact lenses
• myopia control glasses
• orthokeratology (ortho-k)

If your child is nearsighted, ask us about treatment options during your next exam! Our eye care team will help determine if myopia control is right for them. 

We just love this new video created by the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition! The campaign urges parents to recognize that one-in-three kids have myopia (nearsightedness), yet parents are unaware because they do not bring kids in for annual comprehensive eye exams.

Because Myopia is a condition that can be managed once it is detected, it’s important for children to be checked regularly in order to prevent serious eye conditions later in life.

For more information, our own optometrist, Dr. Jeri Schneebeck, recently gave a presentation about the causes of myopia, risk assessment, long term implications, and the various forms of myopia control available.

The American Optometric Association reports that 1 in 4 children have a vision issue that negatively impacts learning. Even children with “perfect vision” can still struggle academically because other aspects of the visual system are not perfect. This makes 20/20 vision only one measure of the visual system. If the whole visual system is not functioning properly our kids may be missing out since 80% of all learning is visual! This makes a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist essential for all children especially those experiencing learning issues.

When a child enters the classroom, they rely on basic visual skills to learn effectively. When one or more of these skills, like eye teaming or focusing, are not properly functioning learning becomes more effortful and often the child can’t keep up with the pace. As a child moves through each grade, the visual demands are greater as they take on more reading, writing, smaller print, higher standards of work, longer lectures, and more general stress. With the increase of these academic demands, it’s important to immediately address any suspected learning challenges with a comprehensive eye exam.

In fact, a comprehensive eye exam can prevent misdiagnosis or aid in diagnosis of other learning challenges like ADHD or dyslexia. Through a comprehensive eye exam, an optometrist can identify issues beyond refractive problems like near sightedness. In fact, eye teaming and tracking issues are frequently seen in children with other learning disorders. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of the eye issues often help the child deal with the other learning issues.

Vision screeners that take place in schools, online or with a pediatrician are NOT a sufficient replacement for a comprehensive eye exam. The American Optometric Association reports that, “Even the most sophisticated vision screening tools, administered by the most highly trained screeners, miss one-third of children with eye or vision disorders.” That’s why optometrists recommend that students who have passed a vision screening still get a comprehensive eye exam for a full look into the child’s visual system.

SIGNS THAT MAY INDICATE A CHILD HAS A VISION PROBLEM INCLUDE:

• Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
• Short attention span
• Avoiding reading and other close activities
• Regular headaches
• Covering one eye
• Tilting the head to one side
• Holding reading materials close to the face
• An eye turning in or out
• Seeing double
• Losing place when reading
• Poor reading comprehension
• Complaints of discomfort and fatigue¹

Colorado’s Doctors of Optometry recommend that your child follows the schedule below for comprehensive eye exams with an eye doctor for proper pediatric eye care. This schedule ensures that the child’s visual system is hitting developmental milestones as they approach and participate in classroom learning.

CHILDREN’S EYE EXAM SCHEDULE:

• 6 Months: First eye exam w/ optometrist
• 3 Years: Second eye exam w/ optometrist
• 5 Years: Third eye exam w/ optometrist
• 6+ Years: After age 5 eye exams should continue every 2 years for low-risk children (unless otherwise recommended by an optometrist).

¹ https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-health-for-life/school-aged-vision?sso=y

Article courtesy of 2020 Eyes Colorado.

Nearsightedness (Myopia) among children has been rapidly increasing for decades yet the risks and treatment are widely misunderstood by parents and caregivers. Prevention and early detection are two keys to controlling this epidemic impacting children’s vision, development and classroom learning.

WHAT IS NEARSIGHTEDNESS?

Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is a vision condition that impacts a child’s ability to see objects at a distance because the shape of the eyeball is too long, or the cornea is too curved. Nearsightedness is not an eye disease, but an imperfection in the eye known as a refractive error. The condition typically begins in childhood and often progresses over time as the child grows. Roughly, 41% of Americans are nearsighted as opposed to 25% in 1971.¹ This upward trend exists throughout Colorado and across the world.

EARLY DETECTION AND SLOWING PROGRESSION

Doctors of optometry agree that the best way to slow myopia progression and possibly prevent it includes a combination of:

1. Consistent comprehensive eye exams for children even without symptoms. Children should have their eyes examined by an eye doctor to get a full look at their eye health at 12 months, 3 years, 5 years of age and then every year for low-risk kids. These regular exams give your child the best chance at early detection and treatment to slow or correct nearsightedness.
2. Daily time outdoors has been shown to delay the onset of myopia.
3. Minimize screen time as this has been linked to increase in progression.
4. If one or both parents are nearsighted their child is at higher risk, making it not possible to prevent, but the progression of the condition can often be slowed with proper detection and treatment.

SYMPTOMS

Below are common symptoms for children experiencing nearsightedness. Keep in mind that many children don’t complain of symptoms and aren’t aware they are having a visual challenge. This makes a comprehensive eye exam key for early detection.

• Blurry vision when trying to focus on distant objects.
• Squinting to read far away text.
• Sitting close to the TV or holding screens, books or objects close to the face.
• Regular headaches.

RISKS OF UNTREATED NEARSIGHTEDNESS

It is important for caregivers to understand that children with moderate nearsightedness are at risk for additional serious eye conditions as adults. Such as:

• Glaucoma
• Retinal Detachment
• Macular Degeneration

TREATMENT

Once nearsightedness begins it cannot be reversed, but it can be slowed. The child’s distance vision should be fully corrected with glasses and/or contacts. Additional treatments to slow progression can include:

PRESCRIBED EYE DROPS

These drops are administered daily to slow progression of myopia.

CORNEAL REFRACTIVE THERAPY (CRT)

Used in children and adults, CRT uses contact lenses that are worn only at night to reshape the cornea during sleep. No lenses or minimal correction is worn during the day. It takes about 2 weeks get the full effect and they need to be used every night.

MULTIFOCAL CONTACT LENSES

These unique contact lenses have different prescriptions in different locations of the lens. Often these are daily disposable contact lenses that children learn quickly to insert and remove.

References

¹ https://www.nei.nih.gov/about/news-and-events/news/myopia-close-look-efforts-turn-back-growing-problem#:~:text=As%20a%20result%2C%20people%20with,from%2025%20percent%20in%201971.

Article courtesy of 2020 Eyes Colorado.

Age proofing your eyesight is a continuous process that is best when started early in life but can be implemented at any age for eye health benefits. The rate in which our eyes age can be reduced if we are mindful of what increases age-related eye diseases and what slows the eye-aging process. For instance, once UVA/UVB damage to the eye occurs it’s often not reversible.

The likelihood of good vision throughout the lifespan is increased by practicing these six areas of protection as early as possible; good nutrition, exercise, sun protection, avoid smoking, limit drinking, and get annual comprehensive eye exams with your Highline optometrist.

Dr. Tom Cruse, Colorado Optometric Association’s Board President says, “The more annual comprehensive eye exams that you can attend as you age translates to having a much higher chance of early detection and can equate to avoiding issues later in life that include low vision issues, blindness or even loss of life. Live that healthy lifestyle and see your optometrist regularly for the best chance at age proofing your eyesight.”

Optometrists look at a lot more than just your visual acuity in a comprehensive exam and can even detect other health issues such as autoimmune conditions, allergies, medication complications, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and more. 

• Regular Exercise: Regular exercise is helpful across the board for your general health, but it’s also essential for keeping your vision from diminishing. One study of more than 15,000 people discovered that individuals who exercised and drank occasionally had less vision loss over a 20-year period than individuals who did not exercise and did not drink.¹ This finding outlines the importance of exercise. Find the exercise that works for you whether it’s walking, hiking, running, swimming, weightlifting, or the countless other ways to get movement in.
• Good Nutrition: When choosing what to eat throughout your day make sure you’re getting the nutrients that promote healthy eyes. To support your eye health and reduce eye disease risks choose foods rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. If you have already been diagnosed with an eye disease check with your optometrist to understand which foods can support your eye health and which foods can provoke your symptoms or even speed up the progression of the disease. Your eye doctor may even prescribe a nutritional supplement to support your eye health. More nutritional information. 

• Consistent Sun Protection: Sun exposure can increase your risk of cataracts and if you have blue eyes and fair skin your risk of cataracts is even higher. Once sun damage of the eye occurs, the long-term impact is not reversible making sunglasses more important than most people think. The Colorado sun is bright due to the elevation and the intense sun reflecting off of snow or water. Grab a pair of 100% UVA/UVB blocking sunglasses to safeguard your eye health and wear them when outside. Pair your sunglasses with a hat for even more UV protection since sunlight can slip in through the side of your glasses. Start your kids off right by protecting their eyes early on. Bonus, tiny sunglasses are cute!

• Continue to Avoid Smoking or Quit Smoking If You’ve Started: The truth is that smoking tobacco increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and dry eye syndrome. Many of these diseases can lead to vision loss or blindness. ARMD is the leading cause of blindness and studies show that smokers have up to four times the risk of developing ARMD. If you’ve been unsuccessful at smoking cessation keep trying and get support such as using the Colorado QuitLine, a free support program for Colorado residents. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or Enroll today.
• Limit Alcohol Intake: It’s common knowledge that alcohol can impact your vision during use. The long-term effects of alcohol consumption can include increased risk of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and optic neuropathy. Heavy drinking can impact your body’s ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients, which are needed for proper eye health.

Article courtesy of 2020 Eyes Colorado.

Does my child need an eye exam? Many parents are unaware that by age 5, a child should have completed three eye exams with an eye doctor. Vision screenings with a pediatrician are part of an essential health plan, but to get a complete look at how your child’s visual system is developing they need comprehensive eye exams with an eye doctor as they approach classroom learning.

“Three eye exams by age 5 are essential for early detection of treatable eye conditions like amblyopia, eye turns, clinically significant far-sightedness, and total refractive errors. These specific eye conditions can develop prior to age 5 and they have potential to hinder classroom readiness and learning as the child enters grade school. An eye doctor can get a complete look at your child’s eye health to make sure everything is developing appropriately for school success. It’s really about making sure each child can learn without difficulty from the visual system,” explains Sheryl Benjamin, Executive Director at the Colorado Optometric Association.

Colorado’s doctors of optometry recommend the following comprehensive eye exam schedule for ages 0-5:

• 6-12 Months | Comprehensive Eye Exam by Eye Doctor
• 3 Years | Comprehensive Eye Exam by Eye Doctor
• 5 Years | Comprehensive Eye Exam by Eye Doctor

One study by the National Eye Institute found that vision screenings miss detecting one-third of children with an eye or vision disorder.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A PEDIATRIC COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAM

Comprehensive Eye Exams for Infants (6-12 months)

It’s recommended that this eye exam takes place around the infant’s schedule picking a time when the infant is content and not fatigued. Infants usually find this exam painless and fun.

First, the caregiver will be asked to give a family history since many eye challenges are hereditary. At this age, the infant usually sits in the caregiver’s lap during the exam while the doctor engages the infant in testing. The optometrist will use handheld objects like lights and toys to check that the eyes are working properly together. The doctor may use drops or a spray to dilate the pupils and get a better look into the health of the eyes. Additional tests will be performed to look for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and any risk factors will be identified. The optometrist will then recommend when to schedule the next eye exam (usually at age 3 unless the infant is high risk).

Comprehensive Eye Exams for Ages 3-5

Children at this age do not need to know their letters or numbers to fully participate in the eye exam and it’s okay if they are too shy to verbalize. During this exam the optometrist will be assessing vision acuity and eye teaming while looking for clouding of the lens, refractive error, nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, amblyopia, misalignment, convergence insufficiency, focusing problems, poor depth perception, color blindness, and additional eye health issues.

Tell your eye doctor if your child has/had any of the following issues:

• Born premature
• Delayed motor development
• Repeated eye rubbing
• Excessive blinking
• Fails to maintain eye contact
• Poor eye tracking

Article courtesy of 2020 Eyes Colorado.

Many people don’t realize that in addition to keeping your eyes healthy and addressing eye health challenges, optometrists can detect over 270 serious health conditions before symptoms ever occur.

That’s because the eye is the only place in the body where any doctor can look at blood vessels and understand the health of an individual’s eyes and body. This deep look into a patient’s health is performed by optometrists in every annual comprehensive eye exam. If you’re avoiding this annual examination, then you’re missing out on a full picture of your health and an opportunity for early identification.

The 270+ health conditions that eye doctors can detect include:

• certain cancers
• autoimmune diseases
• diabetes
• hypertension
• high cholesterol
• hormonal imbalances
• brain tumors

In 2014, the American Optometric Association performed a study that found optometrists had detected over 250,000 diabetes-related manifestations that led to a diabetes diagnosis in patients who were unaware of their health condition.¹

“Nobody wants to have a health issue, but Colorado optometrists are equipped and can detect both eye-related and general health conditions before symptoms ever occur. That can give any patient a better outcome and management plan than if the condition went unidentified. Optometrists provide an essential opportunity for early identification that can lead to saving vision and saving lives,” says Dr. Tom Cruse, Board President for the Colorado Optometric Association.

These conditions can only be detected by your eye doctor in a comprehensive eye exam and not in vision screenings or online exams. Colorado optometrists agree that there isn’t a replacement or hack to comprehensive eye exams, but the exam only takes about 30-60 minutes to get that detailed picture of your vision and health.

Studies show that lack of symptoms, cost of eye care, lack of insurance and/or lack of transportation as the most common barriers to treatment in patients 40 years and older. Other individuals assume that nothing can be done to improve their vision, which is a bold misconception as new technology is introduced regularly.

No symptoms is not an excuse! Colorado doctors of optometry want to be very clear that one of the best times to have an exam is before symptoms present. This means that if any eye health or general health issue is detected it can be possible to treat or and manage the issue before irreversible damage occurs to the body or eyes.

The American Optometric Association has noted, “58% of asymptomatic patients presenting for a routine comprehensive eye exam had either a change in ocular status or care-management plan, as compared to 77% of symptomatic routine eye exam patients.”²

Many eye diseases and health issues that an eye doctor can detect through a comprehensive eye exam are correctable or manageable with early detection. The financial impact and prominence of eye health issues can be reduced through early detection during an annual comprehensive exam. The sooner you know you have the health issue, the sooner you can address it and prevent progression of the condition.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT A COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAM?

A comprehensive eye exam usually takes 30-60 minutes and is performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The exam covers 12 areas of observation and testing, whereas screenings only check one area, vision acuity.

THE FOLLOWING DO NOT COUNT AS A COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAM:

• Eye screenings are not comprehensive (including the eye screening at the DMV)
• Online eye exams are not comprehensive
• App-based vision tests are not comprehensive

COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMS INCLUDE:

• Patient History
  The doctor or staff will collect information on your health, family, and vision history along with current medications and symptoms. They will clarify your chief concerns.
• Visual Acuity Testing
  Testing for your vision with and without correction or with glasses or contact lenses.
• Preliminary Tests
  Testing eye pressures, screening for side vision, color vision, stereo acuity, pupil reactions, eye teaming and tracking.
• Keratometry/Topography
  Measuring the shape of the cornea.
• Refraction
  Checking the power of the glasses needed.
• Eye Focusing, Eye Teaming, and Eye Movement Testing
  Looking at how the eyes work together during focusing and movement.
• Eye Health Evaluation
  Evaluating the health of the front of the eye and inside the eye.
• Supplemental Testing
  Depending on the findings of your exam the doctor may order further testing. This could include, but is not limited to: digital imaging of the retina, visual field testing, OCT, meibomography, photodocumentation.  This testing is used to further clarify the diagnosis and treatment plans for such disease as: glaucoma, macular degeneration, dry eye, visual efficiency issues or the need for contact lenses.

Many of these serious health and eye health conditions can be threats to an individual’s vision, life, or quality of life when left undetected. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam today.

¹ https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/872745

² https://www.aoa.org/news/clinical-eye-care/health-and-wellness/no-symptoms-no-need-for-regular-eye-exam-think-again?sso=y&ct=5977878336e6d8d1ccbc9da373d1beb18c0ea85c456401e790639b12ef28747793d3c0bdca514be82abc8d712153804a8a8fa285dbac03aa4ac4d4163d19d542

Article courtesy of the Colorado Optometric Association.

We are so pleased to share this news story by The Denver Channel about our patient, Michael Gibbs, who suffered a concussion in a car accident in 2015.

After years of searching for help, he found our amazing team who were finally able to help Michael heal and get back to the life he loves. Watch the video to hear from Dr. Jennifer Redmond, O.D., F.C.O.V.D; Stefanie Ohrns, Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Therapist, and Michele Haase, Patient Care Coordinator.

We’re so pleased to share that Channel 7 News in Denver, interviewed our patient, Michael Gibbs who was in a car accident in 2015. Vision Therapy was the key to Michael returning to the life he loved after a traumatic brain injury.