Nowadays, children spend most of their time in activities like reading, using smartphones, and playing video games. This one habit is affecting their eyesight more dangerously than one can imagine. The eye condition known as myopia (nearsightedness) is rapidly increasing.
Due to myopia, distant objects appear blurry, while close-up vision remains clear. With the rapid spread of myopia, the need for effective management strategies is even more important now.
Let’s read more on this.
Why Is Myopia Becoming a Concern in Children?
In recent years, the spread of myopia has been tremendous. Its ability to turn into a long-term health problem has made it even more dangerous for children. The graph is on the higher side, particularly in urban areas.
- Studies show that the USA has seen a 42% prevalence of myopia in recent times.
- By 2050, globally, 5 billion people will be affected by this vision problem.
- For children, this condition worsens as they age. A severe form of myopia increases the chances of other vision-related issues, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment, in later life.
Given the long-term consequences of myopia, early intervention is key to preventing more serious complications. This is where myopia control comes into play.
What is Myopia Control?
Myopia control is a combination of treatments designed to slow down the progress in children. Here the main focus lies on the underlying cause – progressive elongation of the eyeball. What an eye specialist aims for is to reduce the likelihood of more complications over time.
Some of the most promising methods of myopia control include:
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
In this process, the child is given specially designed contact lenses to wear overnight. This targets gentle reshaping of the cornea so the child can get a clear vision in the daytime without any glasses.
- Atropine Eye Drops
A doctor uses these drops in low concentration to relax the eye muscles and prevent the eyeball from elongating. This is a very effective form of myopia control.
- Specialized Contact Lenses
Some special lenses are also prepared to correct myopia in children. Bifocal or multifocal lenses can be specifically designed for this. Wearing these lenses ensures the child gets the additional support to control its progression as well. These lenses alter the way light enters the eye and help in the vision.
- Multifocal Glasses
Multifocal glasses work on both near and far vision and also slow down the myopia progression.
Each treatment method works differently and may be more suitable for some children depending on their age, lifestyle, and severity of myopia. Consulting with an eye care professional is a must to determine the best option.
What are the Benefits of Myopia Control for Children?
Myopia control is more than slowing down its progression. It improves the overall eye health of the children.
Here are a few key advantages:
- Controlling the progression at an early stage means less chance of developing severe eye issues in the future.
- Controlling myopia gives children the opportunity to live their lives without constantly worrying about glasses or lenses. This can directly impact their interest in other activities.
Myopia control could very well be the future of pediatric eye care. With the increasing prevalence of myopia among children, it’s essential to adopt proactive measures to prevent the condition from worsening. The growing availability of treatment options gives hope that we can offer children a better quality of life and reduce their risk of serious vision problems later on. However, it’s important to consult with a qualified eye care professional to determine the best course of action for each child.
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