Are your child's eyes getting worse year after year?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common vision problem affecting millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, about 2.2 billion people, or 30% of the world’s population, are affected by myopia, and this number is expected to increase in the coming years.
Factors that contribute to myopia progression are still being studied, but they are believed to be a combination of two main factors:
Genetics:
If both parents are myopic, their children are more susceptible to becoming myopic. If one parent is highly myopic (greater than -3.00DS), their child has a greater likelihood of becoming a high myope as well.
Near work (digital screen time) vs. time spent outdoors:
Children today spend much more time indoors and on digital devices than in years past. More children are straining their eyes with increased near work and spending less time outdoors doing distance tasks.
Myopia control is important because high levels of myopia are associated with an increased risk of eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment, which can lead to vision loss or blindness. Additionally, high levels of myopia can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
There are several ways to control myopia, including:
Specialty spectacle lenses: these special lenses include special design multifocal lenses, which have different zones to help reduce eye strain and slow myopia progression, and peripheral defocus lenses, which provide clear vision while reducing peripheral blur.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight and reshape the cornea, temporarily reducing myopia.
Multifocal Contact Lenses: These contact lenses have multiple zones with different powers to help slow the progression of myopia.
Atropine Eye Drops: Atropine eye drops are used to dilate the pupil and temporarily reduce the progression of myopia.
Behavioral Modification: Encouraging outdoor activities and reducing near work can also help control myopia progression.
The efficacy of each method varies, and the most effective method depends on the individual’s age, severity of myopia, and lifestyle factors. Ortho-K and multifocal contact lenses have been shown to be effective in slowing myopia progression in children and young adults. Atropine eye drops can also be effective, but they may have side effects such as blurry vision and light sensitivity.
In conclusion, myopia control is important to reduce the risk of associated eye diseases and improve quality of life. There are several ways to control myopia, and the most effective method varies depending on the individual’s circumstances.
What needs to be done?
The lenses also essentially act to decrease axial length (or eye elongation), which is a factor associated with myopia progression. These lenses are more effective at slowing down myopia than single-vision soft contact lenses, RGP hard contact lenses or spectacles.
All of these treatment modalities have benefits and disadvantages. It is important to discuss all these treatment options, duration of treatment and cost with your Optometrist.