Myopia, or near-sightedness, occurs when the eyeball lengthens, causing an image blur on the retina. The disorder’s progression results from both environmental and genetic factors, making myopia the most common eye disorder worldwide. It is the leading cause of visual impairment among children. According to projections, by 2050, 52% of the global population might be affected by myopia, up from an estimated 27% in 2010.
The increase in myopia cases has been linked to changing lifestyles, with more people spending extended periods indoors using electronic devices, and less time outside in natural light. The rise of myopia has also been attributed to urbanization and higher levels of education, as studies show that individuals with higher levels of education are more likely to develop myopia. While glasses and contact lenses can correct near-sightedness, there is currently no cure for myopia. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize preventative measures, such as spending time outdoors and reducing screen time, to minimize the risk of developing myopia.
Parents with Myopia: Predicting the Risks for Children
Genetics play a considerable role in myopia. Statistics show that if one parent is myopic, their child has a 20% chance of becoming myopic. This risk jumps to 33% if both parents are myopic. Environmental factors also contribute to the development of myopia, including prolonged near work (such as reading and using technology), the length of schooling, and limited time spent outdoors.
Prolonged near work, in particular, has been linked to the onset and progression of myopia. This is because focusing on close objects for extended periods of time can cause the eye to elongate and change shape, leading to blurry vision when looking at distant objects. Additionally, the length of schooling has been associated with myopia, as those who attend school for longer periods of time are at a higher risk of developing the condition.
Limited time spent outdoors has also been identified as a risk factor for myopia. Studies have shown that spending more time in natural light, particularly during childhood, can help reduce the risk of developing myopia. This is thought to be because exposure to natural light helps the eye to regulate its growth and development. Overall, while genetics play an important role in the development of myopia, environmental factors also have a significant impact. By taking steps to reduce the amount of near work, increase time spent outdoors, and protect eye health, it may be possible to lower the risk of developing myopia or slow its progression.
Myopia: A Gateway to High-Risk Eye Diseases
While there is no cure for myopia, there are ways to manage and slow its progression. These include regular eye exams, using corrective lenses, and practicing good eye habits such as taking breaks from screen time and spending more time outdoors.
It is important to prioritize eye health and take proactive steps to prevent myopia and its potential complications. By doing so, individuals can reduce the financial and personal burdens associated with this condition and maintain clear vision for years to come.
Furthermore, myopia can lead to financial burdens due to the costs associated with glasses and contact lenses, particularly as prescriptions increase. The onset of myopia at a young age significantly increases the risk of developing high-risk eye diseases in the future.
These include:
- Retinal Detachments
- Myopic Macular Degeneration
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
What Are The Treatment Options?
Various treatment options can reduce your child’s nearsightedness, thus promoting healthier eyes later in life:
- Multifocal Soft Contact Lenses: These lenses slow myopia progression by imposing peripheral myopic defocus on the retina. The Biofinity Multifocal from CooperVision, a monthly disposable lens, has been shown to reduce myopic progression by about 50%.
- CooperVision MiSight 1 Day lens: FDA approved in 2020 for children aged 8-12, these lenses have shown to slow myopia progression.
- Pharmacologic Treatment: Low dose Atropine has shown a 60-80% reduction in myopia progression, with minimal side effects such as light sensitivity and difficulty focusing on near objects.
- Ortho-Keratology: Also known as Ortho-K, this method involves rigid gas-permeable lenses worn during sleep and removed in the morning. They reshape the cornea overnight to correct low-moderate amounts of myopia and astigmatism, decreasing progression by approximately 50%.
As you can see, there is not one treatment option that prevents progression 100%, different treatment options can be combined, and look to increase the effectiveness. There are different advantages/disadvantages to each option. There is a time commitment and financial commitment, and what works best may differ for each individual or family. We can discuss these options when you bring your child in for an exam to find what may work best for you.
*information obtained from www.reviewofmyopiamanagement.com
Listed below are a couple websites that have useful information if you would like to learn more.
https://www.mykidsvision.org/en-us
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1475-1313.2005.00298.x
