Myopia Progression How to Control?

?

?

?Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common refractive error we see it in our clinics every day and affects millions of people worldwide.

?While glasses and contact lenses can correct myopia, they don't address the underlying issue.

?Myopia typically starts during childhood and tends to progress until the late teens or early twenties when the eye stops growing. Factors such as genetics, environmental influences (such as excessive near work and limited outdoor time), and ethnicity can contribute to the development and progression of myopia

We as doctors aim to control myopia progression though the various methods available.

The reason behind that is to reduce the risk of associated eye conditions.

?Preventing myopia progression in children is a multifaceted approach that involves a combination of lifestyle adjustments, environmental factors, and proactive eye care.

?Here are some effective strategies parents can implement to help slow down the progression of myopia in their child:

1. Encourage Outdoor Activities: Spending time outdoors has been associated with a reduced risk of myopia development and progression. Encourage your child to engage in outdoor activities such as sports, playing in the park, or simply spending time in natural daylight.
2. Limit Screen Time: Excessive screen time, whether it's from smartphones, tablets, computers, or television, can contribute to myopia progression. Establish screen time limits for your child and encourage regular breaks to reduce eye strain.
3. Promote Good Reading Habits: Encourage your child to maintain proper reading posture and lighting conditions when reading or doing close-up work. Ensure that reading materials are held at an appropriate distance and that adequate lighting is available to reduce eye strain.
4. Take Frequent Eye Breaks: Encourage your child to take regular breaks when engaging in near work activities such as reading or using electronic devices. The 20-20-20 rule is a helpful guideline: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away to give the eyes a chance to relax.
5. Ensure Proper Lighting: Provide adequate lighting in study areas and other places where your child spends time doing close-up work. Proper lighting can reduce eye strain and promote healthy vision.
6. Schedule Regular Eye Exams: Routine eye examinations are essential for early detection of myopia and monitoring its progression. Schedule regular visits to an optometrist or ophthalmologist for comprehensive eye exams, especially if there is a family history of myopia.
7. Consider Myopia Control Options: Discuss with your eye care provider about myopia control options such as orthokeratology (Ortho-K), atropine eye drops, or multifocal contact lenses. These interventions may help slow down the progression of myopia in your child and reduce the risk of associated eye conditions.
8. Promote a Balanced Lifestyle: Encourage a balanced lifestyle that includes healthy nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep. A well-rounded lifestyle can support overall eye health and contribute to the prevention of myopia progression.
9. Lead by Example: Set a good example for your child by practicing healthy eye habits yourself. Limit your own screen time, take regular breaks, and prioritize outdoor activities to promote healthy vision for the whole family.

In the last few years a lot of research was done to control this problem and a lot of treatment strategies are now implemented worldwide .Even myopia clinics now are available to address this clinical problem and provide treatment through different stratigies such as :

1. (Ortho-K) Contact Lenses : wearing specially designed ?gas-permeable contact lenses overnight to reshape the cornea temporarily. This method is popular among children and teenagers who are not keen on wearing glasses or daytime contact lenses.
2. Atropine Eye Drops: Atropine eye drops, when prescribed in low doses, have been found to effectively slow down myopia progression in children. Recent studies have shown promising results with low-concentration atropine .
3. Multifocal Contact Lenses: Multifocal contact lenses are designed with different zones for near, intermediate, and distance vision.
4. Peripheral Defocus Lenses: These specialized spectacles create a myopic defocus in the peripheral retina while correcting central vision. It aims to slow down axial eye growth, thereby controlling myopia progression.

Why is it important to ?do myopia control?

• To reduce the risk of associated eye conditions and complications, such as retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma.
• To reduce the need for stronger prescription lenses over time, leading to better long-term visual outcomes.
• To experience improved quality of life and academic performance by reducing dependence on corrective lenses and minimizing the impact of myopia-related symptoms like eye strain and headaches.

?Early intervention and regular eye examinations are crucial for implementing appropriate myopia control measures tailored to individual needs, ultimately leading to better visual outcomes and improved eye health in the long run.

By implementing these strategies and maintaining proactive eye care for your child, you can help reduce the risk of myopia progression and promote optimal eye health and vision for years to come.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Top of Form

Bottom of Form