Strategies to Control Nearsightedness in Children
Nearsightedness is a common vision condition that affects the ability to see distant objects clearly. The clinical term is called myopia.
In individuals with myopia, typically the eyeball is longer than it should be, causing light to focus in front of the retina and creating a blurry distance image. The structural changes with the lengthening of the eye cannot be reversed naturally.
Myopia typically develops during childhood and progresses over time if not managed properly, leading to increased reliance on vision correction and increasing the risk of eye conditions such as glaucoma and retinal detachment in adulthood.
The prevalence of myopia in children has been steadily increasing, and digital device use is considered a contributing factor. Excessive screen time, coupled with limited outdoor activities, has been linked to a higher risk of myopia development and progression in children. The New York Times published an article in 2021 on Why Nearsightedness is on the Rise in Children. The Washington Post published an article in 2015 on The World Myopia Crisis and Why Children Should Spend More Time Outdoors.
Fortunately, there are various strategies available for myopia management in children that have been supported by scientific research. Let’s explore some of these strategies available in the United States. If you like knowing where the research came from, click on the hyperlinks to explore more.
Outdoor Activities and Sunlight Exposure: Spending more time outdoors and getting regular sunlight exposure can help reduce or delay onset of myopia in children. Outdoor activities, such as playing sports or simply spending time in natural light, have been found to be associated with a lower incidence of myopia. It is believed that the outdoor light levels and decreased time spent on near work and digital devices may help to slow down the elongation of the eyeball, a key factor in the development of myopia.
MiSight 1 day Contact Lenses: FDA-approved in 2019 for myopia control, these are soft, daily disposable contact lenses, specifically designed for children to slow down progression of myopia. These specialized lenses utilize a unique dual-focus technology, providing clear vision while simultaneously slowing down myopia progression.
Schedule a consultation with us to determine if MiSight 1 day contact lenses are a good option for your child. Redeem a free trial offer from the manufacturer.
Orthokeratology: FDA-approved in 2002 for the correction of myopia, these are hard contact lenses designed for overnight wear, gently reshaping the cornea to correct for myopia. The lenses are removed in the morning and the child can enjoy clear vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses throughout the day. In 2005, researchers reported that ortho-k lenses had not only a corrective effective, but a preventative effect in childhood myopia. In 2020, Paragon CRT ortho-k lenses received Europe’s CE Mark to slow down progression of myopia.
Ortho-k requires customized fitting as the lenses are designed for each individual’s unique eye shape and prescription. Schedule a consultation with us to determine if ortho-k contact lenses are a good option for your child.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops: Atropine is a pharmaceutical eye drop that has been used for various eye conditions in children and has shown to be effective to slow down myopia progression. Side effects such as light sensitivity and near vision blur are common for atropine in full strength. However, studies have shown that a low-dose concentration atropine eye drops can slow down the progression of myopia in children with minimal side effects when used at night. These drops need to be compounded by a specialized pharmacy to provide a low-dose strength.
Myopia management in children is an important aspect of eye care to slow down progression of nearsightedness and reduce the risk of associated eye conditions. To read more, researchers have compiled a Cochrane Review: Interventions to Slow Down Progression of Myopia in Children.
Remember: Early intervention is critical. Myopia cannot be reversed, only managed to slow down progression.
