Childhood is a critical stage for overall development, and vision plays a crucial role in helping children learn, explore, and grow. But myopia is becoming increasingly common among young children worldwide.
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize risk and keep myopia from worsening. A few practical strategies to slow myopia progression in children include:
- Increased outdoor time
- Specialized eyewear
- Specialized contact lenses
- Low-dose atropine eye drops
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for determining the best strategy for your child. Your eye doctor will often recommend a combination, such as getting your child to spend more time outside in the sunshine and prescribing glasses with special lenses.
Better results are usually achieved when myopia is caught earlier and myopia control methods are used. So, booking regular eye exams for your child is essential.
Understanding Childhood Myopia
Myopia is a refractive error in which distant objects appear blurry while close-up objects remain clear. It occurs when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it.
Experts believe a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including near work activities (like increased screen time) and limited outdoor exposure, contributes to the rising rates of myopia in children.
The condition typically begins in the early school years and can worsen rapidly without proper care. Addressing myopia progression early can help reduce the risk of future vision complications.
Why Managing Myopia Progression Matters
Managing myopia progression isn’t just about correcting blurry vision with glasses. Left unchecked, myopia can progress to high myopia, which increases the risk of serious eye conditions, including:
- Myopic macular degeneration
- Cataracts
- Retinal detachment
- Glaucoma
Children with unaddressed vision issues often struggle in school, miss out on extracurricular activities, and may develop lower self-esteem. Effective myopia management can support your child’s academic performance, physical activities, and overall quality of life.
Effective Myopia Control Strategies
Though myopia cannot be reversed, its progression can be slowed significantly with the proper management strategies.
Increase Outdoor Time
One of the simplest ways to control myopia progression is to encourage your child to spend more time outdoors. Studies show that spending two hours or more outside daily can lower the risk of myopia onset and possibly its progression.
Incorporate regular outdoor activities into your family’s daily routine. This could include walks after dinner, trips to the park, or enrolling your child in outdoor-focused sports.
Specialized Eyewear for Myopia Control
Advances in optical technology have led to the development of specialized eyewear designed to slow down myopia progression in children. These glasses feature special focusing or diffusion elements, and help control myopia progression.
Ask your child’s eye doctor about options like the Stellest, MyoCare, or SightGlass lenses, which have been clinically proven to manage myopia in children.
Specialty Contact Lenses
Another highly effective treatment option for managing myopia is specialty contact lenses, such as orthokeratology (ortho-k) and specialty multifocal soft contact lenses.
- Ortho-k lenses are worn overnight and gently reshape the cornea, temporarily correcting vision and reducing myopia progression. They are an excellent option for children who participate in sports or prefer not to wear glasses during the day.
- Multifocal soft contact lenses such as MiSight and Abiliti have also been developed specifically for slowing eye growth. They are worn during the day and have specialized focus designs that provide clear vision while helping to control myopia.
Contact lenses require a certain level of responsibility for proper handling and hygiene. Your eye doctor can guide you and your child on the best options based on their needs and maturity.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine eye drops are another promising treatment for controlling myopia progression. These prescription drops are administered daily and have been shown to slow the growth of the eyeball, slowing the progression of nearsightedness.
The benefits of atropine drops include ease of use and effectiveness, making them a convenient option for busy families. They are generally well-tolerated by children and can be prescribed by your eye care doctor after an eye exam.
Healthy Visual Habits
Making simple adjustments to your child’s daily habits can go a long way in mitigating myopia progression. Here are some easy tips to implement at home:
- Visual breaks: Prolonged near work such as reading, doing homework, or using digital devices should include at least a 5 minute break every hour. Ideally the visual break involves focusing on distance objects and getting outside.
- Limit screen time: Balance near-work with distance activities and avoid prolonged, uninterrupted device use. Recreational screen time should be limited to no more than two hours daily.
- Appropriate lighting: Ensure your child has adequate lighting for reading and other visual tasks to minimize eye strain.
- Promote proper posture: Encourage good posture, such as sitting upright and maintaining a distance of at least 30 to 40 cm from their work while doing near-work activities.
Importance of Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams
Many parents are unaware that their child is experiencing vision problems until they begin to impact their daily lives. Myopia often develops gradually, making regular eye exams essential for early detection and intervention.
A comprehensive pediatric eye exam is recommended at least once a year from age 5 onward to monitor your child’s vision and eye health.
Early intervention allows for customized treatment plans based on your child’s specific vision needs.
Take Action for the Future of Your Child’s Vision Today
Helping your child build healthy habits today and consulting with an expert for myopia management can protect their sight for the future.
At Cowichan Eyecare, we’re ready to partner with you to give your child the best start. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam for your child today and explore the available options for myopia management.
Together, we can safeguard your child’s vision and ensure they have every opportunity to see, learn, and thrive.
