Myopia, or nearsightedness, is an eye condition that many children and adults around the world deal with every day. It can make tasks like reading, driving, and enjoying the outdoors more challenging.
With more kids developing myopia every year, tackling myopia early is important. While myopia can’t be reversed, there are steps we can take to slow it down. Taking action sooner and scheduling children’s eye exams lets you get ahead of myopia and helps you protect your child’s future vision.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision condition where you can see close objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. You might notice your kids squinting to see far away, or maybe they complain about headaches and eye strain after long periods of reading or screen time.
But how does myopia arise? In a healthy eye, light enters through the cornea and passes through the lens, focusing on the retina at the back of the eye. The retina, equipped with millions of rods and cones, converts this light into electrical signals sent to the brain via the optic nerve, which then forms images.
Myopia throws a wrench into this finely tuned process. In those with myopia, the eyeball has grown too long or the cornea too curved, preventing light from focusing correctly on the retina.
While myopia typically begins in childhood, it can worsen until around age 20. High (severe) myopia not only affects vision but also increases the risk of serious conditions such as:
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration
- Retinal detachment
Genetics appear to play a significant part in developing myopia—if you’re nearsighted, there’s a good chance your kid might be too. However, your child could be nearsighted even if you aren’t.
Environmental causes of myopia include spending lots of time on close-up activities like reading or using digital devices and not spending enough time outdoors.
Managing Myopia Progression with Myopia Control
Although we can’t completely reverse myopia, there are effective strategies to control its progression.
Multifocal Lenses for Myopia Control
Multifocal lenses are an exciting option for managing myopia progression in kids and teens. These lenses have different zones that support both near and far vision in one lens.
The center of the lens corrects distance vision just like any traditional prescription for nearsightedness. The outer ring, however, creates a so-called defocusing zone. This defocusing zone changes how your eyes focus light and tells your body to put the brakes on eye growth. Studies show that multifocal lenses can significantly slow down myopia progression, making them a great option for anyone looking to manage it actively.
Orthokeratology for Myopia Control
Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, is a unique myopia management method that involves specially designed contact lenses. The lenses overnight, during which time they gently reshape the cornea. When your child wakes up, they’ll have clear vision without needing glasses or daytime contacts.
But ortho-k is about more than simply clearer vision for today; it can also effectively reduce the rate of eye elongation that leads to worsening nearsightedness.
Atropine Eye Drops for Myopia Control
Atropine eye drops work by dilating the pupil. They’re normally used during an eye appointment to get a closer look at the back of the eye. When used in a low dose in children, they can temporarily relax the eye’s focusing mechanism to slow down the eye’s growth.
Children will typically take these eye drops at night, as this helps keep side effects like light sensitivity or blurred close-up vision to a minimum. Studies have shown atropine drops can significantly reduce how quickly myopia progresses, especially when paired with other myopia control methods.
Atropine drops are generally safe and effective, making them a good option for children, though individuals might respond differently. It’s important to chat with your eye care professional before starting atropine treatment. They can create a personalized plan and keep an eye on your child’s progress, helping everything go smoothly!
Practical Tips for Parents
Managing myopia can be easier with a few lifestyle tweaks, including:
- Limit screen time: Encourage your kid to take breaks from screens and use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Get outdoors more: Spending time outside is not only refreshing but also linked to a lower risk of developing myopia. Find fun activities that let your kid enjoy the open space and give their eyes a break.
- Stay on top of eye check-ups: Keep up with regular eye exams. Exams are our chance to uncover any of your child’s vision changes early and get the right adjustments to their glasses or contacts.
We’re learning more about myopia every day, so talk to your optometrist about what steps you can add to your child’s routine to help manage myopia and keep their eyes healthy!
Vision Care for a Bright Future
While reversing myopia isn’t possible, proactive measures can effectively slow its progression and help your child enjoy more of their vision. You don’t have to accept myopia’s slow march! By learning about myopia, you’re empowering yourself and your child to take control of their eye health.
If you’re ready to prioritize your child’s vision or your own, Santa Cruz Optometric Center is here to support you. Book an appointment with our experienced optometrists to explore personalized myopia management plans tailored to your child’s needs. Let’s work together to provide a bright and clear future for everyone!
