As parents, our children’s health and happiness is top of our list of priorities and what could be more important than their eyes? Poor vision can hold them back from doing the things they love most so it’s important that we as Eye Care Professionals, ensure you, as parents, are fully informed about common eye health problems like myopia, also known as short-sightedness.
Children grow really fast, and so can the worsening of myopia1 which can lead to future eye health problems.2 So, if your child has myopia or you suspect they might have it, don’t worry, there is something that we can do to slow it; please read more about the options available so that you can make the right choices for their vision and eye health.
Alternatively, go right ahead and book an appointment with our myopia experts now.
Short-sightedness, also known as ‘myopia’, can make seeing things at a distance blurry. If your child’s eyes are myopic, they may find it tricky to read the whiteboard or watch their favourite TV show from far away. Myopia is typically caused by the eye growing slightly too long.1 Your child might also find that their chances of being short-sighted are more likely if members of the family also have myopia.2
There is a link to modern lifestyles with near-vision activities and increased screen time – but genetics also plays a part if other family members have myopia.1-7
Are members of your family myopic? If so, don’t hesitate, book your appointment now.
1. Morgan P. Is Myopia Control the Next Contact Lens Revolution? Optician Select. 2016. Available at: https://www. magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10.12968/opti.2016.5.127. Accessed August 2021.
2. Gifford P et al. The Future of Myopia Control Contact Lenses. Optom Vis Sci. 2016; 93(4): 336-43.
3. Morgan I G et al. Myopia: is the nature-nurture debate finally over? Clin Exp Optom. 2019; 102(1): 3-17.
4. Greenwald S H et al. Role of a Dual Splicing and Amino Acid Code in Myopia, Cone Dysfunction and Cone Dystrophy Associated with L/M Opsin Interchange Mutations. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2017; 6(3): 2.
5. Wolffsohn J S et al. Global trends in myopia management attitudes and strategies in clinical practice. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2016; 39(2): 106–116.
6. Yazar S et al. Myopia is associated with lower vitamin D status in young adults. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014; 55(7): 4552-9.
7. Feldkaemper M et al. An updated view on the role of dopamine in myopia. Exp Eye Res. 2013; 114: 106-19.
By 2050, 50% of the global population is predicted to be myopic.1
Myopia can interfere with children’s quality of life, making it harder for them to participate in school, sports or other daily activities.1,2
It can worsen rapidly, particularly in younger children, so it’s important to start treatment as soon as possible.3
Myopia can also lead to severe eye health problems later in life.4
If you think your child is suffering from any of these symptoms then they could be developing myopia so it’s best to act quickly and see one of our myopia experts.
1. Tideman JW, Snabel MC, Tedja MS, et al. Association of axial length with risk of uncorrectable visual impairment for Europeans with myopia. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016;134:1355-1363.
If you are not Myopic yourself, it can be hard to envisage how debilitating the condition can be and how it affects everyday life for your child. These vision simulation images depict typical school scenes and give you a feeling of what life with Myopia is like for children
Just as your child grows with every birthday, their eyes also continue to change as they get older. Regular eye exams help to spot any changes that could impair their vision and can help keep their eyes healthy for the future.
Myopia can be easily managed with a few simple steps so your child can still do lots of exciting things when they grow up – whether that’s becoming a professional athlete, studying the stars or taking care of others.
Going outdoors to play, can keep myopia at bay – being outside in the sunlight has a protective effect against myopia.1
Try to incorporate a digital detox into your child’s weekly routine, reducing screen time that can be harsh on eyes.2
Sleep is important – children need around nine hours of sleep a day and a lack of sleep has been shown to contribute to higher levels of myopia.3
Encourage your child to hold books or devices at a distance – the same distance as from their knuckle to their elbow is a good guide – as holding them too close can increase myopia by causing changes in the length of the eye.4
Not all contact lenses are equal; instead, opt for a specialist contact lens for children that not only corrects vision but helps slow the progression of myopia.5
If your child has been diagnosed with myopia, conventional glasses will of course make their vison clearer when wearing them, but DO NOT slow the worsening of myopia. There are some clinically effective options that can slow the worsening of myopia.1
Dual-focus myopia management:
MiSight® 1 day contact lenses.
Myopia control glasses lenses.
Orthokeratology contact lenses.
*Children with myopia fit with MiSight® 1 day contact lenses ages 8-15 continued to experience slowed myopia progression as long as they remained in treatment.
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