The Myopia Epidemic: What Parents Need to Know

The Myopia Epidemic: What Parents Need to Know

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly common among children worldwide, a trend often referred to as the “myopia epidemic.” As a parent, understanding myopia and the latest advances in Myopia Control can help you safeguard your child’s vision and support their long-term eye health.

What Is Myopia and Why Is It Rising?

Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. This results in blurred distance vision. While genetics play a role, lifestyle factors like increased screen time, prolonged near work, and reduced outdoor activity are accelerating the rise in myopia among children.

Why Is Myopia Control Important?

Myopia goes beyond simply needing glasses. High levels of myopia increase the risk of severe eye conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Slowing the progression of myopia in childhood, experts call myopia control dramatically reduces these risks.

Myopia Control: What Are Your Options?

Today, there are several scientifically backed methods to slow myopia progression in children:

• Specialized Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses

• Myopia control glasses and contact lenses are specially designed to change how light focuses on the retina, helping to slow down the elongation of the eye. Examples include MiSight contact lenses and innovative spectacle lenses like Stellest and MiYOSMART, which use advanced optical designs to create “peripheral myopic defocus”.

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses are worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea, providing clear vision during the day and helping to slow myopia progression.

• Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops

• These prescription eye drops, applied at bedtime, have significantly slowed myopia progression in children. While the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, they are safe and effective when used under medical supervision.

• Lifestyle and Habit Changes

• Increasing outdoor time, at least 90 minutes per day, has been proven to slow the onset and progression of myopia.

• Limiting prolonged near work (like reading or screen use) and following the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds) can help reduce eyestrain and slow myopia progression.

Practical Tips for Parents

• Schedule regular comprehensive eye exams for your child, even if they have no symptoms.

• Encourage daily outdoor play in natural light.

• Monitor and limit screen time and close-up activities.

• Discuss myopia control options with your child’s eye doctor if diagnosed with myopia.

The Bottom Line

The rise in childhood myopia is a genuine and growing concern, but parents have more tools than ever to help manage it. By staying informed about Myopia Control and taking proactive steps, you can help safeguard your child’s vision today and for years.