3 Yr Old With Myopia

I work from the basis that drs despite what we are led to believe are not gods & can be wrong, so as a parent I would do 2 things:

1) search the net & get as much information about causes of, cures & treatments for myopia as you can, including checking whether there is any evidenceto support natural alternatives like homeopathy, naturopathy, I haven't heard of any, but i'd sure check before sending my 3 yr old for surgery etc.

2) get a couple more opinions.

My daughter was diagnosed at 18 mos. W high myopia, -18 and -23. She is 13 years old now. We have never had any surgeries but do see specialized opthamologist, retina and muscle dotors. Today I was searching the web looking for pictures of a swollen macula. We let our daughter play powder puff football last week and now she has a bruised macula. Very scary. As well, because her impairment is not visible, I have always had problems getting across to the school her medical requirements.

Her high myopia was inhereted from her father. I have been through 5 surgeries w him. And am trying to prevent this from happening to my daughter.

While searching the web I came across your question. I do not have the answer, but can sympathize w your plight.

Additionally, we have traveled many miles to find a doctor who knew how to handle her problems. If you need names let me know.

You talk about myopia like it is a disease and really it just means your nearsighted. I was born with a high myopia as well -8 in my right and -14 in my left. I have never had to have surgery as of yet though I know someday I will and I also know my risk of retinal detachment and blindness is very high. For now glasses will correct this to around 20/30 vision and contacts can come closer and improve peripheal vision as well. When your child is older then laser surgery might be a good option. Til then don't treat them like its a disorder. My son which is now 10 was born with my same problems and every year I have to explain to his new teacher that he has to sit in the front to see the board and there are certain pe activities that he cannot do and every year I take him to the eye doctor and get him new glasses and have the pressure in his eyes tested and checked for glaucoma and retinal stability. I know for you never having eye problems this bad may seem scary to you but there are worse ailments out there and this will be ok for you. Try not to worry and just do what you know you need to do, Dr. Visits ect.

I was born with high myopia, I was -16 and -18 by the time I was 16. I know I had my first pair of glasses at 18 mths, now drs are better about getting kids glasses.

I can tell u that with high myopia, all physical contact sports are dangerous... And do make it more open for a detachment. But it is like playing bingo, you never know who will get it. I played lots of sports but didn't have my first detachment until I was 20. My cousin had her first detachment when she was 15 and she didn't play sports. So... I don't encourage sports but I do encourage regular retina exams. Since I was told that I have a 50/50 chance of passing it to my children, I take them every 6 months to a retina doctor. They are 9 and 10... So far there is no sign of myopia at all. I don't get it, my cousin has one child and she is only 4 but has obvious signs of myopia already.

Other hints: as your child gets older, keep the shampoo/conditioner bottles in the same place in the shower (she can't see the bottles), as well as the towels, soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste. Whenever you go to a beach or pool, make sure you set up a bright colored area, something that she can recognize without her glasses. She can't see shapes well but blobs of color... (think of looking thru a shower door). Start her early in a routine of putting her glasses in the same spot every night before bed so she can find them in the morning... It helps in the case of an emergency. Routine becomes so important when a person can't see the details but don't hold her back from learning... Nothing is worse than being afraid or having the people around you afraid of every move.

When she goes thru puberty, her vision will change a lot... It sucks but you will have to buy her new glasses every year, maybe sooner depending on how fast her vision changes. This doesn't always apply but usually applies to most high myopic ppl.