Myopia or shortsightedness is the commonest form of the refractive errors found in the world. It affects children of growing age more often, especially teenager and adolescents, and progresses until the age of 20 years.¹

Rising myopia cases is a global concern. WHO had estimated that by 2020 half of the world’s population will be myopic.² Children having myopic parents have higher chances to develop myopia.¹

Though myopia is not a dangerous condition it increases the risk of some serious conditions like vision threatening disorders later in life. In about 10 percent of people with myopia, the condition worsens in severity and poses risk of serious eye diseases in children.³

While there is no proven direct link, research suggests that children who spend more time indoors doing near-focused activities have higher rates of myopia than those who spend more time outdoors.⁴

There is a term called Progressive Myopia which is a type of myopia that typically affects children and teens. Myopia in which the correction to clear vision increases over time periods less than one year.⁵

Some risk factors are considered which affect development and progression of myopia:⁶

Genetic factors- strong evidence has been found that myopic parents have higher chance of a child being myopic.
Earlier the better -The American Optometric Association recommends comprehensive eye exams to catch vision problems early when they can be more easily controlled. It is recommended that parents should get 1st eye check-up of their babies done before 1 year and more so if there is a family history of vision problem.⁴

Myopia generally worsens through the teenage years and stabilizes till adulthood.

Ignoring myopia in the growing years could lead to serious consequences. It tends to worsen over time, especially when it develops at an early age. Therefore, starting myopia management early, when the myopia is still mild, will have a greater impact on slowing myopia progression.

What is the treatment for myopia?⁴

Myopia is a lifelong condition and increases the risk of potentially sight threatening conditions in later life.⁷ However, its impact and progression can be managed and mitigated through various interventions. It cannot be reversed, the goal of treatment is to keep it from getting worse and protect eye health though corrective measures.⁴

Glasses or contact lenses can correct myopia. Once child grows to adulthood surgical options can be thought of after consulting your doctor.

While, eyeglasses are the most popular way employed to correct myopia, it’s not the only way.

Contact lenses, surgeries and pharmaceutical agents can help in the treatment of myopia too

Contact lenses – it is a myth that contact lenses cannot be suggested for children. But with proper parental guidance, hygienic habits and proper training to handle lenses, children can comfortably wear contact lenses.

Ortho-k or CRT. Some people with mild myopia may be candidates for temporary corneal refractive contact lenses reshape the cornea temporarily.

Myopia can also be permanently corrected through refractive surgeries such as LASIK and LASEK, which utilize advanced laser-assisted technologies to reshape the cornea.

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) - is a type of laser eye surgery used to correct mild myopia. While surgeries help correct near-sightedness, they are not the only treatments available to fix myopia.

Vision therapy is another option if myopia is caused by spasms of eye muscle which help in focusing. These muscles can be strengthened through exercise and focus can be improved.Additionally, prescribed pharmaceuticals like atropine can also help slow myopia progression, however, should only be used under the guidance of a doctor.⁸

How can you prevent myopia from getting worse?

Though there’s no cure for myopia, there are everyday steps you can take that can support your overall eye health and limit progression of myopia and limit activities causing eye strain. Here are some tips for better vision.¹
• Limit on screen time and take screen breaks in between
• Always read in well lit room
• Encourage kids to play outdoors
• Atropine drops can be used to slow down progression with consultation of your doctor
• And most important do not hesitate to wear glasses if you are advised for.
• Age- early onset of the condition progresses more rapidly, resulting in a higher degree of myopia
• Habits- longer screen time, inadequate lighting while reading and closeness to screen increase the chances of myopia
• Geography- myopia is found to be higher in urban areas than the rural
• Health factors- some underlying disease conditions are associated with developing myopia

References:

1. Mayo Clinic. Nearsightedness - Symptoms and causes [Internet]. Mayo Clinic. 2018. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nearsightedness/symptoms-causes/syc-20375556
2. Eye care, vision impairment and blindness [Internet]. www.who.int. Available from: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/health-topics/blindness-and-vision-loss
3. russ. Myopia Management FAQs [Internet]. Optometrists.org. [cited 2023 Nov 8]. Available from: https://www.optometrists.org/childrens-vision/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions/what-is-myopia-management/myopia-management-faqs/#:~:text=A%3A%20Myopia%20generally%20worsens%20through
4. Porter D. Myopia Control in Children [Internet]. American Academy of Ophthalmology. 2022. Available from: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/myopia-control-in-children
5. What is progressive myopia? [Internet]. All About Vision. [cited 2023 Nov 8]. Available from: https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/myopia-faq/progressive-myopia.htm#:~:text=Progressive%20myopia%20is%20nearsightedness%20that
6. 5 Risk Factors for Developing Myopia [Internet]. WebMD. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/lasik/risk-factors-for-developing-myopia
7. Morjaria P. How myopia develops. Community Eye Health [Internet]. 2019;32(105):4. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6688406/
8. Kaiti R, Shyangbo R, Sharma IP. Role of Atropine in the control of Myopia Progression-A Review. Beyoglu eye Journal. 2022 Aug 5;7(3):157-66.

FAQs

Q1. How is myopia permanently treated?
Ans. Myopia can also be permanently corrected through refractive surgeries such as LASIK and LASEK, which utilize advanced laser-assisted technologies to reshape the cornea.

Q2. Can myopia be fixed without surgery?
Ans. While surgeries help correct near-sightedness, they are not the only treatments available to fix myopia. Vision therapy is another option if myopia is caused by spasms of eye muscle which help in focusing. Additionally, prescribed pharmaceuticals like atropine can also help slow myopia progression, however, should only be used under the guidance of a doctor.⁸

Q3. Can myopia be treated without glasses?
Ans. While, eyeglasses are the most popular way employed to correct myopia, it’s not the only way. Contact lenses, surgeries and pharmaceutical agents can help in the treatment of myopia too.

Q4. What happens if you ignore myopia?
Ans. Ignoring myopia in the growing years could lead to serious consequences. It tends to worsen over time, especially when it develops at an early age. Therefore, starting myopia management early, when the myopia is still mild, will have a greater impact on slowing myopia progression.

Q5. Is myopia lifelong?
Ans. Myopia is a lifelong condition and increases the risk of potentially sight threatening conditions in later life. However, its impact and progression can be managed and mitigated through various interventions.