Myopia in Children: Preventive Measures and Early Intervention Strategies

One of the most prevalent eye conditions that require eyewear for correction is myopia. Myopia is a condition that affects your distance vision. It usually develops first in children between six and fourteen years. The leading cause of the condition is unknown, but you can take measures to prevent it. If it starts to develop, you can work with your eye doctor to help slow its progression. 

What is Myopia?

Myopia, better known as nearsightedness, affects your eye's ability to see far. The condition progresses until your child turns eighteen, steadily worsening during that time. You can take measures to reduce your child's chances of developing the condition. The condition comes in several forms:

Simple Myopia

In this state, the eye is often healthy; contact lenses or eyeglasses can be used to correct vision.

High Myopia

A severe case of the problem is high myopia. It starts while a person is younger and grows worse as they age. The biggest concern about high myopia is that it puts you at risk for more severe eye diseases, including glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal detachment.

Pathological Myopia

Other problems will arise if you have this kind of myopia. Most people suffering from this also have retinal issues, such as retinal atrophy, lattice degeneration, and Forster-Fuchs spot. It leaves you with a limited chance to correct your sight using glasses or contacts.

Preventive Measures
 

Time Outdoors

Many eye doctors have found that children who spend so much time indoors are more likely to develop myopia. For this reason, they advise parents to encourage their children to spend more time outdoors. Spending time outdoors helps a child grow their entire visual system. It helps them develop the ability to switch focus from near to distant vision.

Close-up Work

Other experts point to close-up work as another factor in myopia development. However, they are careful to note that not all close-up activities affect the development of the condition. Instead, the chances are much higher if the close-up work involves long hours using a digital screen.

Early Intervention
 

Because of the danger of myopia progressing into more severe forms, early intervention is essential. The eye doctor can recommend several strategies, each with a mechanism to slow the elongation of the eye. It is necessary to talk to your eye doctor to find out which would work best for your child. 

Some interventions like ortho-k can give your child near-perfect vision during the day without eyewear. Others like MiSight® and Abiliti™ contacts correct vision while slowing the progression. Others, like atropine eye drops, use their chemical structure to slow the elongation of the eyeball.

For more on preventive measures and early intervention for myopia in children, visit Davie Family Eye Care at our office in Davie, Florida. Call (754) 238-5360 to book an appointment today.