Preventing myopia in children: What parents need to know
Myopia is one of the most common vision disorders in children and adolescents. In recent years, its incidence has been increasing worldwide at an alarming rate. According to forecasts by the World Health Organization, by 2050, almost 50% of the world’s population will have myopia.
The good news is that today there are effective strategies to slow the progression of myopia in children — from simple lifestyle changes to specialized pharmaceutical and optical therapies. This article offers parents a scientifically based overview of options for preventing and treating childhood myopia.
What is myopia?
Myopia is a refractive error in which light rays focus in front of the retina, resulting in blurred vision of distant objects. This usually occurs due to excessive elongation-growth of the eyeball or, more rarely, due to increased refractive power of the optical system.
Myopia often begins at ages 6–12 and progressively worsens during adolescence. The earlier it appears, the greater the likelihood of developing high myopia (over 6 diopters), which is associated with more serious complications in adulthood — such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
What factors contribute to the development of myopia?
Risk factors for the development of myopia are both genetic and environmental. Although a child with two myopic parents has a higher risk, everyday behavior plays an equally important role.
The main environmental factors are:
- Reduced time outdoors
- Increased time in close work (reading, using screens, writing)
- Poor posture or inadequate lighting when studying
- Onset of myopia at an early age
- The modern “indoor” life of children, especially after the pandemic, has reinforced these factors.
Prevention and slowing down of myopia: What science says
The modern approach to childhood myopia includes three main axes: behavior modification, medication and specialized visual interventions. Let’s look at them in detail.
1. Lifestyle changes
- Increased time outdoors
- Many studies show that at least 2 hours a day of exposure to natural light (or a total of 14 hours a week) can reduce the likelihood of developing myopia or slow its progression. Exposure to sunlight stimulates the production of dopamine in the retina, which inhibits the elongation of the eyeball.
- Proper use of screens and books
The 20-20-20 technique is simple and effective: for every 20 minutes of close work, the child looks at something 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds. Avoiding using devices for hours without a break is crucial.
2. Drug treatment: Atropine in low concentrations
- The atropine eye drop, at a very low dose (often 0.01% or 0.05%), has been shown to be particularly effective in slowing the progression of myopia.
- How does it work? It is not fully understood, but it appears to act on the sclera, limiting the growth of the eye’s length.
- Safety: At low doses, it has minimal side effects (e.g., mild photosensitivity). It does not significantly affect normal vision or reading ability.
- Administration: One drop in each eye at night. Follow-up by a pediatric ophthalmologist is required every 4-6 months.
3. Optical solutions: Specialized lenses and contact lenses
Technology has advanced significantly and now there are solutions beyond simple “corrective” glasses.
A. Multifocal or myopic eyeglass lenses
Special lenses (such as DIMS – Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) (e.g., Miyosmart, Stellest ) are designed to correct central vision and at the same time control the increase in myopia through peripheral defocus. They have shown a reduction in the progression of myopia by up to 60%.
B. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
These are special hard contact lenses that are worn at night and temporarily shape the surface of the cornea, offering clear vision during the day without glasses. At the same time, they slow down the progression of myopia. They are ideal for older children and adolescents.
C. Soft myopic contact lenses
New types of soft lenses (e.g. MiSight) have been designed specifically for the management of myopia in children. They have received FDA approval and show very good results.
What is the right choice for my child?
There is no “one size fits all” solution. The prevention or slowing down strategy depends on:
- The child’s age
- The rate of myopia increase per year
- The family history
- The child’s acceptance or refusal of visual aids
A pediatric ophthalmologist can suggest the appropriate individualized approach.
In conclusion
Myopia in children is not just a matter of “glasses”. It is a developmental phenomenon with significant implications for future eye health. Fortunately, today we have scientifically proven interventions that allow us to slow its progression. Prevention starts with simple steps: daily exposure to light, good study habits, regular monitoring and — where necessary — the implementation of specialized solutions.
The role of parents is crucial: with information, support and cooperation with experts, they can protect their children’s eyes for their entire lives.
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