Progressive Myopia in Children: Everything Parents Need to Know

Imagine a world where you can't see the stars at night, or the birds flying overhead. A world where your friends' faces blur as they approach, and reading a book is a chore. This is the reality for millions of children with progressive myopia, a condition in which the eye grows too long.

Kids enjoying their time

Progressive myopia, also known as high myopia or axial myopia, is a serious vision problem that can lead to blindness later in life. But what is it, and what can be done to prevent it?

The good news is that there are things parents can do to help reduce their child's risk of developing progressive myopia. And for children who already have the condition, there are treatments that can help slow its progression and protect their vision.

In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at progressive myopia, including its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention tips. So stay tuned, and let's learn more about progressive myopia and how we can protect our children's vision.

Myopia

Progressive myopia: What parents need to know

Progressive myopia, is a condition in which the eye grows too long. This causes nearsightedness, or the inability to see distant objects clearly. Progressive myopia can worsen over time, leading to serious vision problems such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration later in life.

What are its causes?

The exact cause of progressive myopia is unknown, but genetics and environmental factors are thought to play a role. Children with a family history of myopia are more likely to develop the condition. Additionally, children who spend a lot of time indoors or doing close-up work are also at increased risk.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom of progressive myopia is blurry vision when looking at distant objects. Children with the condition may also experience squinting, headaches, and eye strain.

How is progressive myopia diagnosed?

A comprehensive eye exam is the best way to diagnose progressive myopia. During the exam, an eye doctor will measure the length of the eye and the refractive error. The refractive error is the amount of correction needed to bring the eye into focus.

What are the treatment options?

Glasses

There is no cure for progressive myopia, but there are treatments that can help slow the progression of the condition and improve vision. These treatments include:

• Defocus glasses: Eyeglasses, made of defocussing ability can correct the refractive error caused by progressive myopia and improve vision.

• Atropine eye drops: Atropine eye drops are a type of medication that can help slow the growth of the eye and reduce the risk of developing severe myopia. Atropine eye drops are typically used in younger children, as they can cause some side effects such as light sensitivity and blurred vision up close.

• Orthokeratology: Orthokeratology is a type of contact lens therapy that is used to reshape the cornea while the child sleeps. This can help improve vision during the day. Orthokeratology is typically used in older children and teenagers.

• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct myopia. This surgery, called LASIK or PRK, can reshape the cornea to improve vision. Surgery is typically only recommended for adults over the age of 18.

What are the long-term complications of progressive myopia?

Progressive myopia can lead to a number of serious vision problems later in life, including:

• Retinal detachment: Retinal detachment is a condition in which the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, separates from the underlying choroid. This can lead to vision loss or blindness.

• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a condition in which damage to the optic nerve can lead to vision loss.

• Macular degeneration: Macular degeneration is a condition that causes the central part of the retina, called the macula, to deteriorate. This can lead to vision loss.

How can parents help?

Parental help

There is no way to completely prevent progressive myopia, but there are some things that parents can do to reduce the risk of their child developing the condition, including:

• Encourage children to spend time outdoors: Spending time outdoors exposes children to natural light, which can help slow the progression of myopia. Aim for at least two hours of outdoor time per day.

• Limit screen time: Children should limit their screen time to two hours per day or less. This includes screen time from TVs, computers, tablets, and smartphones. Consider blue-light filtering lenses.

• Take breaks during close-up work: Children should take breaks every 20 minutes when doing close-up work, such as reading or using a computer. This will help reduce eye strain.

• Schedule regular eye exams: Children should have regular eye exams to ensure that their vision is healthy and to detect any signs of progressive myopia early.

Here are some additional tips for parents of children with progressive myopia:

• Talk to your child's eye doctor about the best treatment options for your child. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating progressive myopia. The best treatment plan for your child will depend on their age, the severity of their myopia, and other factors.

• Help your child understand their condition. It is important for children to understand what myopia is and why they need to follow their treatment plan. Talk to your child about the risks of progressive myopia and the benefits of treatment.

• Be patient and supportive. It can be frustrating for children to deal with progressive myopia. Be patient with your child and offer them support. Let them know that you are there for them.

Early detection and treatment of progressive myopia is essential for protecting children's vision for the future

Indoor work

Here are a few key takeaways:

1. It's becoming more common: More and more kids are getting progressive myopia, especially in cities and among kids who study a lot. It's predicted that nearly half of the world's population will have myopia by 2050.

2. It gets worse over time: Progressive myopia doesn't stay the same; it tends to get worse as you get older. Each year, your glasses or contact lens prescription may need to be increased. The speed at which it worsens is different for everyone and can be influenced by things like genes, how much time you spend outdoors, how much close-up work you do (like reading or using screens), and your ethnicity.

3. Some things can increase your risk: Certain factors can increase the chances of developing or worsening progressive myopia. These include having family members with myopia, spending a lot of time doing close-up activities, not spending enough time outdoors, and certain ethnic backgrounds.

4. It can lead to complications: If progressive myopia isn't managed properly, it can lead to other eye problems. The risk of conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy (a problem with the central part of the retina) increases as your myopia worsens. These conditions can seriously affect your vision and quality of life.

5. How it's managed: The key is to catch progressive myopia early and manage it properly. The main goal is to correct your vision so things in the distance appear clear. This is usually done with glasses or contact lenses. There are also newer treatments like special contact lenses or eye drops that can slow down the progression of myopia.

6. Lifestyle changes can help: Making some changes in your daily routine can also help manage progressive myopia. Spending more time outdoors has been shown to reduce the risk of myopia getting worse. Taking breaks from close-up work, sitting with good posture, and using good lighting when reading or using electronic devices can also be helpful.

7. Regular eye check-ups: It's important to get your eyes checked regularly to keep track of your progressive myopia. During these check-ups, the eye doctor will measure your vision, check your glasses or contact lens prescription, and make sure your eyes are healthy. This way, they can monitor how your myopia is changing and provide the right treatment if needed.

To sum it up, progressive myopia is a common eye problem that gets worse over time. It's important to catch it early, manage it properly, and make some lifestyle changes to slow down its progression. Regular eye check-ups are essential to keep your eyes healthy and ensure you get the right treatment.

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