Myopia Control

Development of myopia in children

Myopia is becoming a serious problem in more and more countries. Studies predict that, by the year2050, nearly 50 percent of the world’s population could be shortsighted. Early myopia can lead to the emergence of progressive myopia, a severe form of nearsightedness: after the onset, a person’s vision may quickly deteriorate at a rate of one dioptre per year and turn into high myopia, which increases the risk of other eye problems such as damage to the retina or even blindness.

How do you treat myopia progression in children?
There are multiple options for treating myopia progression in kids: with contact lenses that the child only wears at night, soft contact lenses for during the day, eye drops and special spectacle lenses – thelatter tends to be the most comfortable treatment method for young patients.

No matter the particular treatment, lifestyle also has a strong impact on the health of our eyes: studies have shown that myopia is less common amongst children who spend a lot of time outdoors or, if a child is myopic, it progresses more slowly.

5 TIPS FOR EFFECTIVELY MANAGINGMYOPIA

Good posture and the correct distance from using digital electronic devices will not only help your child’s back but also their eyes by them using the correct distance from the devices. Too close to a digital screen causes more eye strain. Practice taking regular breaks from looking up from the devices into the distance will lessen the eye strain and relax the eyes. A good rule is: every 20 minutes focus on a point or object 20 m away for 20 seconds.

Not getting enough sleep can also impact the development of progressive myopia. Your child needs their rest. You should avoid playing or reading on digital devices before bedtime.

Reading in low light is also not good for their eyes.

Kids should play outside whenever possible.  Daylight assists in several physiological processes. Spending enough time outdoors in sunlight is very important for their body, eyes and overall wellbeing. A healthy balanced diet is equally important.

Make your child take a break from their Smartphone or device every now and then. Limit the amount of time they spend on these devices.

Make sure your child is not missing anything at school. Schedule regular eye check-ups! Ideally every 6 months if they have a problem otherwise yearly.

“A good rule of thumb: Every 20 minutes focus on a point or object 20 m away for 20 seconds.”