What is myopia?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the struggle to see distant objects clearly. It usually begins in childhood or early teenage years and progresses through young adulthood.
What are the effects of myopia?
Myopia causes objects at a distance to appear blurry. For children, this often leads to trouble focusing in class or difficulty with sports or other activities that require distant vision.
What causes myopia?
Myopia happens when the eyeball becomes elongated or the cornea and lens become too curved, causing improper focus. All of the following can contribute to or worsen the effects of myopia:
Genetic factors, like family history and ethnicity.
Environmental factors, like not enough time spent outside.
"Near work" like studying, reading and using digital devices.
What can I do?
However, there are also many day-to-day things you can to help look after your child's vision.
Put eye care first
The earlier myopia is spotted, the better. Regular eye care and annual exams can prevent the onset and progression of myopia.
Get outside
Natural light significantly reduces the risk of myopia onset and progression. We recommend at least two hours of daily outdoor time, with proper sun protection of course!
Reduce near work
Encourage your child to spend time away from screens and reduce near work time to a maximum of 90 minutes a day.
Follow the 20/20/20 rule
During near work or screen time, look away every 20 minutes at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds, making 4-5 complete blinks.
Treatments
FYidoctors offers a variety of treatment options, some of which can slow myopia's progression by as much as 90%. Talk to your doctor to find out what might be best.
Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, uses custom-designed contact lenses that are worn overnight. These contact lenses slowly reshape the cornea and reduce eyeball elongation. Ideally, this treatment allows your child to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses during the day.
Ortho-K
Daily disposal contact lenses, worn during daylight hours, can help reduce the stimulation that causes eyeball elongation.
Specialty Contact Lenses
Regular prescription lenses are enhanced with peripheral vision management technology. These help focus light to slow down eyeball elongation.
Specialty Glasses
Often combined with other treatments, low-dose atropine eye drops are widely used to help slow the progression of myopia.
Pharmacological Eye Drops
Often combined with other treatments, low-dose atropine eye drops are widely used to help slow the progression of myopia.