Myopia Management: Safeguarding Your Child’s Vision and Future Health

Years of research provide evidence that environmental and hereditary risk factors play a role in this disease. These include:

• Hereditary and Genetic Factors: "Eye lengthening" and "corneal curvature" are ocular growth irregularities associated with this condition which may be hereditary.
• Environmental Factors:
• Under correction of glass: For low level nearsightedness may be a risk factor for its progression in childhood
• Eye Strain: Excessive strain from digital devices and computer screens, or strain from close up work (such as time spent reading books up or extensive homework sessions) may also contribute
• Insufficient Outdoor Activity: There is evidence that children who spend more time outdoors are less prone to developing this condition

Common signs of nearsightedness include:

• Difficulty with distance vision (sometimes at night)
• Squinting
• Eye strain/discomfort
• Having to come close to an object to see it.

Nearsighted children often have to stand close to the classroom whiteboard to take notes.

Slowing down the progression of myopia is essential to reduce the risks that can come from higher progression. Specialty vision doctors use a variety of extensively researched and widely used methods for slowing or even stopping entirely the progression of myopia in children.

• Multifocal contact lenses: Allow for a harmonious blending of vision using a pair contacts that feature multiple prescriptions, and are highly effective at slowing myopic progression.  
• Low-dose medicated eye-drops: These drops have been shown to slow myopic progression and have been used safely for almost 100 years with even younger children. 
• CRT, Ortho-k or orthokeratology treatment: A corneal reshaping intervention where custom designed hard contacts are worn overnight to reshape shape the eye and allow for glasses/free clear daytime vision. This intervention is not only extremely effective at slowing down or entirely stopping myopic progression, it has the added benefit of leaving your child free from glasses and contact lenses during the day. 

Parents need to help manage their nearsighted child's eye care and inculcate the importance of good practices, in accordance with their age and maturity. This includes: 

• reducing excessive use of digital devices to prevent eye strain
• discouraging eye-rubbing and touching
• teaching children them how to manage and use their contacts, and to follow appropriate sanitary measures for storing and cleaning them
• encouraging outdoor activity of 2 hours per day