Prevalence of Myopia or Shortsightedness is on the rise. This increase is being observed globally. Factors such as urbanization, lifestyle, genetics, and education can play a role on the tempo of progression. In addition Myopia tends to develop and progress in childhood and adolescence.
Hand in hand with myopia progression we observe increased incidence of certain eye conditions; mainly retinal degenerative problems and in some instances glaucoma. From this perspective it is important to have children’s eyes examined early on.
Our Therapeutic approaches used to mitigate progression include;
1/ Specially designed single focus lenses with augmented peripheral focal zones.
2/ Multifocal Spectacle Lenses and Specialised Contact Lenses
3/ Pharmacological Agents; low concentration atropine drops which do not induce accommodative spasm yet have been shown to reduce eye’s axial elongation and such reduce myopic progression.
4/ Lifestyle Modifications; encouraging healthy visual habits and balanced lifestyle, spending time outdoors, having breaks from prolonged up close work including use of electronic devices, maintaining correct near posture and working under sufficient light.
Maintaining a well balanced diet and having regular eye checks is also advised.
It is worth mentioning this therapeutic management of myopia depends on factors, including; severity of myopia, age of onset and tempo of progression, and of course your preferences.
some references;
Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2019 Sep-Oct;8(5):360-365.
Efficacy and Safety of 0.01% and 0.02%
Atropine for the Treatment of Pediatric Myopia Progression Over 3 Years: A
Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA Ophthalmol. 2023 Jun 1:e232097. doi:
10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2023.2097.
Low-dose Atropine for Myopia Control in Children (AIM):
protocol for a randomised, controlled, double-blind, multicentre, clinical
trial with two parallel arms.
BMJ Open. 2023 Apr 20;13(4):e068822. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068822.
Axial eye growth and refractive error development can be
modified by exposing the peripheral retina to relative myopic or hyperopic
defocus.
Benavente-Pérez A, Nour A, Troilo D. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci.
2014 Sep 4;55(10):6765-73.
Meta-Analysis Cochrane Database Syst Rev
2020 Jan 13;1(1):CD004916.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004916.pub4.
Interventions to slow progression of myopia in children
Jeffrey J Walline 1, Kristina B Lindsley 2, S Swaroop Vedula 3,
Susan A Cotter 4, Donald O Mutti 1, Sueko M Ng 5, J Daniel Twelker 6
Correcting progressive myopia with bifocal contact lenses with
central zone for distant vision: changes in accommodation and axial length
(preliminary report)
S E Avetisov 1 2, A V Myagkov 3 4, A V Egorova 3 4
DOI: 10.17116/oftalma201913501142
Meta-Analysis
Efficacy Comparison of 16
Interventions for Myopia Control in Children: A Network Meta-analysis
Ophthalmology 2016
Apr;123(4):697-708. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2015.11.010.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have an eye exam?
It’s recommended that adults have a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years, even if your vision seems fine. For children, their first eye exam should be at 6 months, followed by another at 3 years old, and then annually during school years. If you wear glasses or contact lenses or have a medical condition like diabetes, you may need more frequent exams.
What are the signs that I need glasses?
If you’re experiencing frequent headaches, eye strain, blurry vision (either up close or at a distance), difficulty seeing at night, or squinting to focus, these could be signs that you need glasses. A comprehensive eye exam will determine if corrective lenses are necessary.
What causes dry eyes, and how can I treat it?
Dry eyes can be caused by aging, certain medications, environmental factors, or prolonged screen use. Treatment options include artificial tears, prescription eye drops, and lifestyle adjustments such as taking breaks from screens. An eye doctor can recommend the best course of treatment based on the severity of your symptoms.
Are there ways to prevent common eye diseases like glaucoma or cataracts?
While you can’t always prevent eye diseases, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. These include wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, avoiding smoking, and having regular eye exams to catch any issues early. Managing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure can also help protect your eye health.
