Myopia occurs when the eyeball is longer than normal or the cornea is more curved than it should be, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This defect makes distant objects appear blurry, much like a projector displaying a blurry image due to the screen being positioned incorrectly.

Myopia in Young Children

Myopia progresses more rapidly in younger children because their eyes are still growing rapidly. This means that children with this condition may need to have their glasses updated with stronger prescriptions more frequently. Additionally, they are more susceptible to future visual complications. Because young children may struggle to communicate vision problems, detecting myopia can be particularly challenging.

Childhood-Onset Myopia

Myopia often develops at an early age when the eyeball continues to grow beyond the age of 10-12, the age at which eye growth is expected to stabilize. In Saudi Arabia, like many other countries, the prevalence of myopia among children has increased significantly in recent years, attributed to prolonged screen time and lack of outdoor activity.

Myopia in adulthood

Myopia in adulthood can develop as a result of visual fatigue caused by constant close work, such as college studies or prolonged use of digital devices. Failure to correct vision properly, whether by not wearing glasses when needed or using inappropriate lenses, can also contribute to the problem.

How can the progression of myopia be slowed ?

Knowing the causes and symptoms of myopia can help reduce the likelihood of developing it in children or slow its progression over time. There are steps you can take to maintain eye health and prevent the condition from worsening.

Step 1: Watch for Early Signs

The earlier myopia is detected, the more effective it can be treated. Pay attention to your child’s behavior, such as holding things too close when reading or having difficulty seeing distant objects clearly.

Step 2: Get Regular Eye Examinations

Young children may not realize they have a vision problem, making regular eye exams with an optician essential. Regular eye exams can detect any changes in vision and prompt appropriate action.

Step 3: Reduce Eye Strain During Near Work

Reading, studying, and using digital devices are essential for children and teens, but short breaks should be taken every 20 minutes to give the eye muscles a chance to relax. It’s also recommended to maintain a forearm’s length distance between your eyes and the book or screen to reduce eye strain.

Step 4: Limit Screen Time

Excessive use of smart devices is linked to increased rates of nearsightedness, along with eye strain and dryness. It is recommended that screen time not exceed two hours per day outside of school hours, especially for children and adolescents.

Step 5: Promote Outdoor Activities

Research indicates that spending more time outdoors helps reduce the risk of developing myopia. It’s recommended that children spend at least 90 minutes a day outdoors, whether walking or playing, while taking precautions such as wearing sunglasses and hats to protect their eyes from UV rays.

Step 6: Consult an optician about treatment options

Regular glasses and contact lenses help improve vision, but they don’t prevent the progression of myopia. Specialized prescription lenses and glasses designed specifically for children and adolescents are available to help reduce the progression of the condition, and atropine eye drops have been shown to be effective in slowing visual deterioration. Consult an optician to determine the most appropriate treatment for your child.

Learn about myopia control options

Myopia control aims to slow the progression of myopia in children and adolescents, helping to reduce the final degree of myopia compared to what it would have been without treatment.

Controlling myopia is not only important for reducing the need for frequent eyeglass changes during childhood, but it also helps reduce the risk of future vision problems that may arise as myopia progresses.

Treatment options include specially designed eyeglasses, certain contact lenses, or orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses, along with atropine drops, which have been shown to be effective in slowing the progression of the condition.

No single treatment option delivers better results than another, as all have been shown to have a similar effect in reducing the progression of myopia. However, some treatments may be less effective, which will be explained later.

Therefore, choosing the best treatment for your child depends on several factors, such as their vision, eye health, activities, hobbies, and what suits their family’s circumstances and lifestyle.

Options for Controlling Myopia in Children

Myopia in children can worsen over time, but there are several ways to control its progression. These methods include special eyeglasses, specialized contact lenses, orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses, and atropine drops. Each method has its own advantages and scientific recommendations based on recent studies.

Prescription glasses to control myopia

Regular eyeglasses with monofocal lenses do not slow the progression of myopia, but some specialized designs do.
Innovative “lenslet” lenses contain multiple miniature lenses across the lens surface and have proven effective in slowing the progression of myopia.
Diffusion designs have also shown good results.
Bifocals can be beneficial, but only moderately.
Progressive lenses have a limited effect compared to other options.

Soft contact lenses for myopia control

Conventional monofocal contact lenses do not affect the progression of myopia, but some special designs help slow it.
They are worn during the day and can be either daily disposable or reusable for up to a month.

Ortho-K lenses

They are worn while sleeping and removed in the morning, allowing clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or other contact lenses.
They require more frequent fitting appointments than other treatments, but they offer significant benefits for water sports and active activities.

Atropine drops to control myopia

It is used at low concentrations (0.01% – 0.05%) to reduce the progression of myopia, with fewer side effects compared to the higher concentrations used in other medical applications.
It may cause some side effects, such as blurred near vision or increased light sensitivity, which can be managed with additional features in eyeglasses.
It does not replace glasses or contact lenses; it only slows the progression of myopia.

Controlling myopia in children requires choosing the appropriate approach based on the child’s age, prescription, and lifestyle.

Special prescription glasses are an easy and safe option, but they require commitment to wear them throughout the day.
Soft contact lenses are a comfortable option, but they require regular monitoring to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Ortho-K lenses provide independence from glasses and contact lenses during the day, but they require careful monitoring during use.
Atropine eye drops provide a pharmacological solution, but they do not replace the need for vision correction with glasses or contact lenses.

What is myopia ?