Myopia, or nearsightedness, is one of the most common visual conditions around the world. It's estimated that around 33% of Canadians have some form of nearsightedness. Myopia usually develops in childhood and continues to progress into early adulthood.
Left untreated, myopia can increase the risk of developing other eye conditions that can lead to severe vision loss. Scheduling regular comprehensive eye exams is the best way to diagnose and treat myopia. In this post, we're going to discuss innovative approaches to myopia control: effective treatments for nearsightedness.
What is Myopia?
Myopia, commonly referred to as nearsightedness, is a condition where objects up close are clear, but those farther away appear blurry. This refractive error occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is overly curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
As a result, distant images become unclear. Understanding myopia's impact on overall vision is crucial, and diagnostic tools like visual field testing play an essential role. This testing can help detect peripheral vision issues that may arise alongside refractive errors, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of eye health.
Symptoms of myopia include:
Headaches
Squinting to see clearly
Difficulty driving (especially at night)
Distant objects appear blurry or fuzzy
Needing to hold an object close to your face to see/read
Eyes feeling tired after looking at distant objects
Fortunately, when caught early, there are several innovative treatments and lifestyle changes to control the progression of nearsightedness:
1. Scheduling Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams
Myopia control should start as soon as possible, which is why it's so important to schedule regular comprehensive eye exams for you and your child. Typically, you should schedule your child's first eye appointment between 6 months and 2 years of age.
Annual checkups are strongly recommended for both children and adults. A simple vision screening by your family physician or your child's school is insufficient to diagnose visual conditions like myopia. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing the rapid progression of myopia.
2. Atropine Eye Drops
Atropine eye drops can be used to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 5-18. These drops are given before bedtime and might take 2-3 years of continued use to slow down the development of myopia.
3. Multifocal Contact Lenses
These contacts can be worn by children aged 6-12 to help control myopia. The lenses are uniquely designed with varying powers of refraction on a single lens. The center of the lens allows your child to see distant objects clearly, while the outer lens defocuses peripheral vision, slowing eye growth and myopia progression. To ensure the best fit and monitor eye health, scheduling a child eye exam is essential. Regular exams help detect and address vision issues early, ensuring your child’s eyes stay healthy.
4. Specialty Glasses Lenses
Some of the latest technology in specialty lenses is specially designed for nearsightedness. These lenses offer clear vision at all viewing distances and are highly effective at myopia control.
5. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Orthokeratology are special contact lenses that are worn overnight to slow the progression of myopia. The lenses work by subtly flattening the cornea at night so vision is clearer during the day. The lenses need to be worn consistently or the myopia can return.
6. Spend Time Outdoors
Spending more time outdoors in natural light can slow myopia development. Being outdoors encourages your child to focus on scenery at varied distances and healthy exposure to sunlight will ensure that your child's eyes continue to develop properly. (Remind your child to NEVER look directly at the sun!) At least 90 minutes to 2 hours a day outside is beneficial for slowing myopia progression.
7. Limit Screen Time
Prolonged screen usage has been shown to put additional focusing demands on the eyes, which may disrupt normal eye development in children. Many experts believe that the rising cases of myopia in children correlate with increased screen time. It might not be possible to avoid screens completely, but set reasonable limits and encourage your child to take frequent breaks from digital devices.
8. Try the 20-20-20 Rule
Many eye doctors recommend following the 20-20-20 rule for myopia control. Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Focusing on an object in the distance allows our eye muscles to relax, especially after prolonged screen time.
Nearsightedness is a rising global concern, but innovative treatments and lifestyle changes can help reduce myopic progression. Regular eye exams are the best way to diagnose and treat visual conditions like myopia. Early treatment is the best way to maintain your eye health and prevent future vision loss. To schedule your appointment, contact us today at Prairie Eye Care.
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