Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a common condition throughout the world. It is a growing concern for children’s eye health, both globally and in the United States. By 2030, 50% of North America is predicted to have myopia. With more children being diagnosed each day, it’s essential to understand this condition.

What is Myopia?

Myopia causes distant objects to appear blurry while close-up items to remain clear. The condition develops during childhood and progresses throughout the teenage years. Myopia is caused by genetic and environmental factors. People with myopia have either an eyeball that is too long or a cornea that is too curved, which then causes the light to focus improperly on the retina, causing far objects to appear blurry. Other studies have shown that environmental factors from living a modern lifestyle, such as spending insufficient time outdoors, and prolonged time doing near work, may have a greater influence on the development of myopia.

Why Is Myopia Control Important?

While myopia may seem like a common condition, it is associated with several serious vision threatening conditions that can impact one’s vision as the condition progresses. Early identification and management of myopia are key to controlling the condition and slowing its progression which in return will be key in protecting eye health long term. Clear vision is crucial for a child’s learning and development. Poor vision can make it challenging for children to see clearly in school, affecting their ability to read, write, and perform well academically. Additionally, undiagnosed vision problems can slow the development of social skills, can lead to misdiagnosis of behavioral issues, and can also impact language and speech development. Severe myopia can increase the risk of developing serious eye conditions in adulthood, such as retinal detachments, cataracts, and open-angle glaucoma. Studies have shown that slowing myopia progression by 1 diopter reduces risk of myopic maculopathy by 40%, and reduces risk of open-angle glaucoma and visual impairment by 20%.

Treatment

At this time, there is no known cure for myopia. However, eye care professionals have found treatments that focus on slowing the progression of myopia. Since the eyes tend to change more rapidly during the early developmental years, slowing down myopia progression during this critical period can significantly benefit long-term vision health. Listed below are the treatment options that Dr. Zaver prescribes to her patients to help reduce myopia progression.

MiSight Contact Lenses

MiSight 1 day contact lenses are dual-purpose soft lenses that are worn daily. The lenses are a 2-in-1 treatment lens that correct for your child’s vision AND protect your child’s eye from weakening. Your child will wear a fresh pair of contacts every morning that will provide them with sharp and clear vision while slowing down the growth of the eyes, the root cause of myopic progression. The contacts are safe and easy to use and require little to no maintenance. MiSight contact lenses are the only FDA approved lens in the United States for myopia progression. A study performed over a 3 year period, showed a 59% reduction in myopia progression.

Multifocal Contact Lenses and Multifocal Eyeglasses
Soft multifocal contact lenses are typically used in adults over 40 years of age to read clearly as well as see far away. This process also bends light in a way that is beneficial to the eye and has been shown to reduce myopia progression in children by an average of 50%. These contacts are safe and easy for children. They do require daily maintenance.

Atropine Therapy
Atropine therapy can be used alone or in combination with the MiSight or Multifocal contact lenses.

Treatment with atropine therapy is designed to keep the eyes from straining and to help the muscles relax. Some studies have shown that atropine therapy has been shown to reduce myopia progression by an average of 60% without causing blurred near vision or increased light sensitivity, which are two side effects common with higher concentrations of the medication.

How Can Parents Help?

Scheduling regular eye exams for children is vital, as the majority of myopia cases are diagnosed before age 12. The American Academy of Optometry recommends that your child have their first vision exam between 6-12 months, then again between 1-3 years, and 3-5 years. After the age of 5, a vision exam is recommended every year. Early detection is key to managing myopia effectively and ensuring your child’s long term eye health. Monitoring screen times is another way that parents can help their children. The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommend that children under 5 spend one hour per day or less on digital devices. Studies have also shown that at least 2 hours of outdoor time a day has been proven to be helpful in reducing progression of myopia. Although there is no cure for myopia, steps can be taken to slow its progression and improve your child’s quality of life.

Book an appointment for your child today to learn more about myopia control and how it could help your child!