Myopia in children

Table of contents 

• What is myopia?

• What causes myopia?

• Types of myopia

• Symptoms of myopia

• Myopia control in children

• Treatment options for myopia in kids

• How can you prevent myopia from getting worse?

• When to see a doctor?

• Foods that are good for eyes

• Take-Home Points

• FAQ on Myopia in children

Introduction

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is pretty common. 50% of people (one out of two) have it. Myopia is characterized by either an abnormally lengthy front to back eye or an abnormally steeply curved cornea (the transparent window at the front of the eye). As a result, objects in the distance appear hazy. In some instances, surgery, contact lenses, or glasses are used to treat myopia. Myopia can raise your risk of developing certain eye conditions down the road, including cataract, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.

According to studies, myopia is growing more prevalent in kids. Research suggests that children who spend more time indoors engaging in near-focused activities (including computer work, video games, and reading) have greater rates of myopia than children who spend more time outside, even if there is no clear correlation between the two.

Researchers are trying to find a solution to stop children's myopia from getting worse. While myopia cannot be treated back to normal, it can be prevented from getting worse. Even if a child will still require the use of glasses or contact lenses in the future, this can safeguard their eye health now. To know more about myopia, read ahead.

What is myopia?

Myopia, often known as short-sightedness or near-sightedness, is an eye disorder that impairs the ability to see clearly at a distance. It is estimated that by 2050, nearly half the people in the world will have nearsightedness. When reading a book or looking at a phone up close, a person with myopia can see clearly, whereas signs in stores or television screens that are farther away may appear hazy or difficult to read.

Myopia is a risk factor for developing adult eye diseases, therefore it's crucial to monitor your child's eye health and make sure that any myopia-related symptoms are examined by an ophthalmologist.

What causes myopia?

Light must get through your eye's front layers in order for you to see well (the cornea and lens). Light is bent by the cornea and lens so that it lands on the retina, the layer at the back of the eye. The brain then receives a signal from the retina that enables vision.

When you are nearsighted, the shape of your eye prevents light from bending properly, causing it to be focused in front of your retina rather than on it. Your cornea in the front of your eye, for instance, can be overly steeply curved, or your eye might be longer from front to back than usual. The retina is not reached by the light rays in either scenario. Your eyesight becomes hazy when light is not focused properly on the retina.

Types of myopia

• Mild nearsightedness (generally less than 3 diopters of myopia) is also called low myopia. 

• Moderate nearsightedness or myopia is 3 to 6 diopters of myopia. 

• Severe nearsightedness (more than 6 diopters of myopia) is also called high myopia. 

Nearsighted children usually become more nearsighted as they age, but their glasses prescription usually stabilizes in their 20s

Symptoms of myopia

If your kid suffers with myopia, he might complain of:

• Faraway objects look blurred or fuzzy.

• Close items appear clear.

• Headaches.

• Eye strain.

• Squinting.

• Tiredness when driving, playing sports or looking more than a few feet away.

• Poor school grades.

• Shortened attention span.

• Holding objects close to the face.

Myopia is typically a moderate condition that can be managed with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. However, more severe disorders do occasionally arise.

Myopia control in children

While myopia cannot be treated back to normal, it can be prevented from getting worse. Despite the fact that they will still require glasses or contact lenses in the future, this can safeguard a child's eye health.

1. Low-dose atropine eye drops

Atropine eye drops might be something you're familiar with. Atropine eye drops may decrease the progression of myopia in kids when used sparingly for two to three years. The longer the eye, the worse myopia becomes.

Children between the ages of 5 and 18 can treat their myopia with low doses of atropine. Every night before bed, the drops are inserted into the eye. Atropine drops have side effects at low doses may include itching or redness around the eye.

2. Peripheral defocus contact lenses

Children with myopia aged 6 to 12 wear these particular contact lenses. There are various focusing points on this "multifocal" contact lens. Imagine this type of lens as having many circles inside of one another, like a dartboard. While the outside edges of the lens "defocus" or blur the child's peripheral (side) vision, the center, or "bull's-eye," of the lens corrects blurry distance vision. 

Myopia is believed to be limited and eye growth slowed by blurring side vision. Contact lenses with peripheral defocus can not always be effective. But certain kids, like those whose parents are nearsighted and whose own myopia is deteriorating, appear to benefit from these lenses.There is a chance of developing a corneal infection, just like with any contact lens. 

To prevent infection, make sure your child knows how to properly use, care for, and store contact lenses.

3. Ortho-k

A child who has trouble seeing distance during the day can wear orthokeratology contact lenses overnight to improve their eyesight. The lenses, also known as Ortho-K, flatten your cornea as you sleep. The light that passes through the reshaped cornea the following day lands precisely on the retina, enhancing the clarity of distant images.

Only temporarily does wearing Ortho-K lenses improve eyesight. Myopia returns as soon as you stop wearing the lenses because the cornea gradually returns to its original shape. Even so, ortho-K might slow the progression of myopia in the long run.

Ortho-K lenses carry a risk of infection. In addition, they require more follow-up doctor appointments and are more challenging to fit than conventional contacts.

Treatment options for myopia in kids

Myopia in both children and adults can be treated with glasses or contact lenses. There are several different types of refractive operations that can also treat myopia in adults (with very few exceptions for children).

Myopia results in a negative prescription for glasses or contact lenses, such as -3.00. Your lenses will be stronger the higher the number. Your distance vision is improved by the prescription's aid in the eye's ability to focus light on the retina.

Here are a few more treatment options you can opt for your child. Though you should do this only after consulting your child's doctor.

1. Eyeglasses

2. Contact lenses

3. Ortho-K

4. LASIK

5. LASEK

6. Vision therapy

7. PRK

8. Intraocular lense implant

How can you prevent myopia from getting worse?

Even though myopia cannot be cured, there are everyday actions you can do to maintain your general eye health. Setting boundaries for your kids (and yourself) on activities that strain your eyes is especially crucial in today's world.

Here are some tips you can try to avoid your child's myopia from worsening:

1. Restrict their time of use of digital devices.

2. Ask them to take breaks from the screen.

3. Avoid working or studying in low light.

4. Encourage outdoor activity.

5. Make them wear sunglasses or caps outside.

6. For sports or pastimes, put on safety goggles.

7. Plan routine eye checkups.

8. To slow advancement, ask your doctor about atropine eye drops.

9. Discuss dual focus contact lenses with your doctor to slow down the progression of the condition.

When to see a doctor?

You should get your child's eye checked up regularly. These regular checkups should start even before they turn 1 year old. You should schedule with your child's pediatrician or an ophthalmologist for vision checkups every 6 months to 1 year. But if your child is complaining of the following, you should schedule a meetup soon.

• Blurry vision 

• Constant headaches 

• Squinting of eye

• Shortened attention span

• Complaining of not being able to see far objects like the blackboard in school etc.

Foods that are good for eyes

All eyes depend on the nutrients from the food we eat to maintain essential eye tissues and functions. As your child's eyes mature, nutrition becomes even more crucial for their eyesight. Make sure everyone gets enough water to stay hydrated in addition to limiting caffeinated beverages.

Additionally, endeavor to consume meals high in:

• Vitamin A - carrots, spinach, sweet potato, mangoes, liver, egg

• Vitamin C - oranges, pineapple, kiwi, tomatoes,  mango

• Lutein - egg, spinach, carrots 

Take-Home Points

Even while myopia cannot be entirely prevented, many people live with it. There are several options for contact lenses and corrective eyewear. Taking good care of your child’s eyes is the key to managing their myopia.

Make an appointment with your optometrist right away to learn more about myopia and whether your children could benefit from any treatments.