5 Ways To Treat Your Child’s Myopia (Shortsightedness)

Imagine a world where the distant mountains blur into a haze, but the pages of a book in your hands remain sharp and clear. This is the reality for children with myopia, or short-sightedness. Myopia occurs when the eyeball elongates or excessive corneal curvature, distorting the focus of incoming light and making far-off objects appear fuzzy. Recently, myopia has surged among children, fueled by genetic factors and modern lifestyles dominated by screens and limited outdoor activities. Addressing myopia early is essential for more than just vision correction—it’s a key part of nurturing your child’s overall health and development.

Kids Eye Exam: Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Spotting myopia early in children is crucial. This condition tends to worsen quickly during childhood, particularly during growth spurts. Without proper management, severe myopia can pave the way for serious eye issues later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts. Regular paediatric eye exams are essential for catching myopia early, enabling timely interventions to slow its progression and avert complications. Keen to learn how you can protect your child’s vision? Continue reading on to discover five effective ways to treat myopia!

What to do to Treat Your Child’s Myopia?

Regular Pediatric Eye Exams

Kids’ eye exam is the cornerstone of managing myopia in children. Through these exams, the specialist may detect vision changes early, allowing for timely adjustments to treatment plans.  Paediatric eye exams at the eye specialist in Malaysia, are advised to be done annually, but more frequent visits may be necessary if myopia progresses quickly. During these exams, optometrists or ophthalmologists use various tests to assess visual acuity and eye health, ensuring any changes in myopia are promptly addressed.

Corrective Eyewear

Glasses and contact lenses are the most common methods for correcting myopia. These corrective devices work by altering the way light enters the eye, helping to focus it properly on the retina. Glasses are often the first line of treatment due to their ease of use and safety.  For older children who can handle them responsibly, contact lenses provide a wider field of vision and are less affected by weather conditions. It’s important to ensure the prescription is regularly updated as your child’s vision changes.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, involves the use of specially designed rigid gas-permeable contact lenses that are worn overnight. These lenses gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, providing clear vision during the day without the usage of glasses or contacts.  Ortho-K has been shown to slow the progression of myopia in children, making it an effective treatment option. However, it requires strict adherence to the wearing schedule and proper lens care to avoid complications such as eye infections.

Atropine Eye Drops

Atropine eye drops are another effective treatment for controlling the progression of myopia in children. Low-dose atropine drops are typically administered once daily, dilating the pupils and temporarily relaxing the eye’s focusing mechanism.  This treatment has been found to significantly slow myopia progression, although its exact mechanism is not fully understood. Atropine drops are generally well-tolerated, but regular follow-ups with an eye care professional are essential to monitor for side effects and ensure optimal dosage.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle modifications can also play a crucial role in managing myopia. Encouraging children to spend more time outdoors has been shown to reduce the onset and progression of myopia. Natural light exposure and engaging in distance vision activities help relax the eyes and promote healthier vision development.  Additionally, limiting screen time and ensuring regular breaks during their activities can reduce eye strain. Promoting a balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients that support eye health, such as leafy greens and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, can also be beneficial.

What Happens if a Child’s Myopia is Left Untreated?

If a child’s myopia is left untreated, it can lead to more severe vision problems and complications. High myopia increases the risk of developing sight-threatening conditions such as retinal detachment, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. Children with untreated myopia may also experience difficulties in academic and extracurricular activities, impacting their overall development and quality of life. Early and effective treatment not only helps maintain good vision but also supports a child’s educational and social growth. Having said that myopia is a growing concern among children, fret not that with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, its progression can be effectively managed. Remember that a regular visit to an eye specialist centre in Kuala Lumpur, along with wearing corrective eyewear, orthokeratology, atropine eye drops, and lifestyle changes are worth exploring as viable methods to treat myopia. Each approach has benefits and considerations, and often a combination of treatments works best. Prioritising your child’s visual health by ensuring they receive comprehensive eye care is crucial. Addressing myopia early can prevent serious complications, support academic performance, and improve overall quality of life.