The Most Effective Ways to Slow Down Myopia Progression

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness or short-sightedness, is a growing problem. One study predicts that it will affect nearly 50 percent of the global population by 2050. Usually, this condition begins in childhood. Some factors that can lead to myopia development include lifestyle, family history, or both. 

Furthermore, it tends to worsen as kids’ eyes continue to develop. Myopia can have a significant impact on your child’s life. It can lead to future eye health issues. Is your child shortsighted? If so, you need not panic. New research is lighting the path to more effective strategies to manage this condition in children.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia is a condition where close-up objects appear clear while distant ones are blurry. It is a refractive error, not an eye disease. Myopia affects an estimated 25 percent of Americans. Refractive error occurs if your eyes do not focus or bend light correctly on the retina. 

The light must pass through your cornea and lens to see clearly. The cornea and retina bend the light onto the retina, which converts it into signals that travel to the brain and become images. If you have a refractive error, the shape of your lens and cornea prevents light from refracting correctly, leading to blurry vision.

With myopia, light does not land directly on the retina. Instead, it lands in front of it, which can lead to:

 

• Difficulty seeing at night
   

• Blurred vision
   

• Persistent headaches
   

• Increased squinting

Ways to Slow the Progression of Myopia

Finding the best way to slow the progression of nearsightedness can make a huge difference in your little one’s life. After all, this condition can worsen over time, leading to eyestrain and difficulty seeing during school and extracurricular activities. Some of the ways to slow the progression of nearsightedness include:

Multifocal Contact Lenses

Eyestrain can worsen nearsightedness. Constant squinting can lead to various symptoms of eyestrain, such as nausea, headaches, and worsening myopia. Multifocal lenses, which have a bullseye shape, can help reduce the stress on your eyes. The center of the lens improves distance vision. The outer part focuses light on the retina, helping slow myopia progression.

Atropine Eye Drops

These topical medication eye drops help dilate the pupils and reduce eye fatigue caused by focusing too hard. They block the neurotransmitter that causes iris muscle contraction. These eyedrops in various doses can help slow the progression of this eye condition. 

Increased Time Outdoors

Spending sufficient time outdoors may decrease the likelihood of nearsightedness. Some studies suggest that exposure to UV rays may help maintain the shape of the sclera and cornea by changing their molecular structures. 

Orthokeratology

Ortho-k lenses are custom-made contacts designed to treat nearsightedness resulting from an irregularly-shaped cornea. Since kids’ eyes are still developing, orthokeratology can be a good option. 

You wear these lenses while sleeping and remove them in the morning. They will gradually reshape your cornea to correct the irregular shape. So, you should not need corrective lenses in the morning to see clearly. 

Nearsightedness often begins in childhood. Left unaddressed, it can impair your child’s vision and affect performance in school. Thus, taking your little one to see an eye doctor at least once a year is essential.

For more on myopia, visit Battle Born Eye Care at our Reno, Nevada office. Call (775) 360-6446 to schedule an appointment today.