Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common vision problem among children. It is caused when the eyeball is too long, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This leads to difficulty seeing objects clearly at a distance.
The widespread presence of myopia has reached alarming levels, and it is now considered a significant public health concern. If left unmanaged, myopia can lead to a range of eye health problems in the future.
Myopia control strategies, including ortho-k, atropine drops, multifocal contact lenses, and glasses, can benefit your child by helping slow down myopia progression and protect your child’s vision. Other benefits of myopia control include: better academic performance, reduced risk of eye disease, better quality of life, and enhanced self esteem.
Dive Deeper into Myopia
In recent years, the prevalence of myopia among children has skyrocketed. Various factors, such as increased screen time, reduced outdoor activities, and genetic predisposition, have contributed to this epidemic.
Myopia is more than just a minor inconvenience; it can lead to serious eye health issues, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and various conditions affecting the posterior segment of the eye, such as posterior staphyloma, myopic retinopathy, also known as myopic macular degeneration (MMD), and myopic traction retinopathy. Of these, myopic retinopathy is fast emerging as one of the leading causes of blindness in the long run if not managed properly.
Myopia is an epidemic eye disorder that affects nearly 2 billion people globally. At the current rate, half of the world’s population will have some degree of myopia by 2050.
Myopia Control Strategies
Fortunately, there are effective myopia control strategies that can help slow down the progression of myopia in children. Some of the most commonly used methods include:
Orthokeratology (Ortho-k)
Ortho-k involves the use of specialized contact lenses that are worn overnight to reshape the cornea. These lenses temporarily correct myopia during the day and have been shown to slow its progression.
Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine eye drops can help slow down the progression of myopia by relaxing the eye’s focusing mechanism. This treatment is typically prescribed and monitored by an eye care professional.
Multifocal Contact Lenses & Eyeglasses
These corrective lenses can help reduce the rate at which myopia progresses by altering the way light enters the eye.
Increased Outdoor Time
Encouraging children to spend more time outdoors has been shown to be beneficial for those with myopia. The exact reasons behind this effect are still under study, but it appears to be related to the natural light and other environmental factors present outdoors.
Benefits of Myopia Control
Better Academic Performance
Myopia can negatively impact your child’s academic performance. It can make it more challenging to see the board and read from a distance, leading to eyestrain, headaches, and lower grades.
Myopia control can help prevent these problems and improve academic performance. Proper vision can increase a child’s ability to learn, grow, and achieve academic success.
Reduced Risk of Eye Disease
Studies have shown that individuals with higher levels of myopia are at a higher risk of developing eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.
Myopia control can help to reduce this risk by slowing down the progression of myopia. The effectiveness of myopia control is still being studied, but it has been suggested that the earlier a child begins treatment, the greater the chances of preventing myopia progression significantly.
Better Quality of Life
Myopia can have a significant impact on the quality of your child’s life. It can limit their ability to enjoy certain activities, such as sports and other outdoor activities. Myopia control can help maintain or improve vision, leading to better quality of life. Your child can enjoy outdoor activities and other sports without the limitations that come with myopia.
Enhanced Self-Esteem
Reducing the progression of myopia can also help boost your child’s self-esteem, as they will have fewer issues related to limitations in sports and other activities. By seeing more clearly, your child can also perform better in school, leading to increased confidence in themselves.
Securing a Brighter Future for Your Child’s Vision
Myopia control techniques can be effective in slowing down the progression of myopia and preventing further vision issues down the line. Consult an eye care professional at Hercules Optometric Group to discuss myopia control options for your child. Book your appointment today.
