Childhood Myopia

Childhood myopia, also known as short-sightedness or near-sightedness, is a condition in children in which distant vision is blurrier than near vision. The earlier a child develops myopia, the more likely it is that he/she will develop high myopia as an adult. Childhood myopia typically worsens between the ages of four and fifteen years.

Children should have their vision checked at ages six months, three years, and before entering first grade. It’s especially essential  if your family has a history of progressive nearsightedness or other eye conditions.

Causes & risk factors

A refractive error causes nearsightedness. This problem occurs when the shape or condition of the cornea (It is the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye) or the shape of the eye itself causes the light passing into the eye to focus incorrectly.

Childhood myopia  is usually caused by an eye that is too long or oval-shaped rather than round. It could also be caused by an overly steep corneal curve. As a result of these changes, light rays make contact in front of the retina rather than its back surface. The messages sent from the retina to the brain are distorted.

Risk factors

Genetics– Childhood myopia is a genetic trait. Its development is heavily influenced by heredity. If either you or your spouse is nearsighted, your child is more likely to be as well.

Prolonged close-up activities– Lengthy stretches of reading or other close-up activities are linked to an increased risk of nearsightedness.

Screen time–  According to studies, children who use computers or smart devices for extended periods of time are often more likely to develop nearsightedness.

Limited outdoor play time- Research has shown that limiting outdoor play time causes myopia progression, particularly if the child spends less than 1-2 hours outside per day. Outdoor play is important for children with myopia because it allows the eye muscles to relax and take a break from constant focusing activities.

 

Symptoms

Children rarely report difficulty seeing things. As parents, you want to watch out for these conditions and detect them as soon as possible.

  • Blurred vision
  • Headaches
  • Eye strain
  • Excess watering of eye
  • Squinting while doing homework, reading, or watching television
  • Eye rubbing
  • Reduced attention span
  • Holding stuff close to one’s face or going closer to the screens of Tv etc
  • Children with this disease can have difficulty seeing a screen or a whiteboard in school 
  • If your child avoids playing with other kids, this may also indicate distant-vision problems.

If these symptoms are present and observed in children, you should consult an optometrist to check if the child has myopia.

Treatment

Childhood myopia cannot be cured or reversed, but it can be slowed and prevented too in some ways. Doctors may recommend:

Eyeglasses – Eyeglasses – Glasses can be worn all the time. It is essential to choose frames that fit well and are appropriate for your child’s age and activities.

Low dose atropine eye drops-When given to children in small amounts over a period of 2 to 3 years, the drops may slow the progression of myopia.

Multifocal glasses– These special glasses are worn by children aged 6 to 12 who have myopia. This “multifocal” lens focuses on different areas of the eye with peripheral defocus. These lenses appear to benefit in slowing down the progression of myopia

 

Prevention

Some measures to prevent the development of childhood myopia

  • Start young. Ensure your child learns good eye care habits from early childhood.
  • Ask your child to keep any reading material at least 30 cm away from their eyes.
  • Ask them  not to  lie down to read or read in moving vehicles.
  • There should be at least 2 metres between the television and the child’s seat.
  • Avoid or limit children’s exposure to handheld devices, computer games, or television. These activities increase the risk of myopia, become addictive quickly, reduce attention span, impair learning and creativity, and may result in behavioural issues. 
  • It is best to read, watch television, or use the computer in a well-lit, glare-free environment.
  • Encourage your children to practise healthy habits such as taking a break and resting their eyes after every 30 to 40 minutes of reading or watching television by looking out the window at distant objects.
  • Encourage children to spend more time outside, but avoid the hours of 11 a.m. to      3 p.m., when the sun is at its hottest.
  • Annual eye exams are also recommended to detect any vision problems early. When necessary, corrective visual aids such as glasses will assist the eye in focusing better.
  • Last but not least, ensure your children eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables!

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