Childhood Myopia

1.      Does wearing glasses delay the myopia progression?

Glasses may provide better vision and ensure your child functions better in his/her environment. It is vital that your child puts his/her glasses on all the time as complications like Amblyopia (“lazy eye”) or Strabismus (“misaligned eye”) may occur if the weaker eye is uncorrected for better vision.  A child’s visual system is developing, especially during the first 7 years of life, thus glasses may help to ensure normal visual development.

2.      How do I determine which method of myopia control is best suited for my child?

It depends on your child’s lifestyle and compliance, as well as the Ophthalmologist’s advice and evaluation. Presently, Atropine eyedrops are commonly used throughout Asia. These eyedrops relax the pupillary muscles thereby preventing increase in myopia. It normally offers minimal side effects with effective control. It is important that the child complies with the treatment regimen on a long-term basis. It does take some motivation on the part of the parents and the child to instill the drops on a daily basis, which is one drop at night to each eye before going to bed. The medication does not cause stinging when applied.

3.      Why does my child’s myopia progresses rapidly every year?

Myopia develops when the length of the eyeball (front to back) becomes longer so when incoming light rays enter the eye, it is focused in front of the retina (light sensitive layer of tissue) instead of being focused on the retina itself, causing blurry vision. Unfortunately, myopia cannot be reversed or corrected naturally. Only controlling and stabilising it can prevent your child from further increasing his/her myopia. Myopia will stabilise by the age of 18 or when their body stops growing. Before that, it is essential to monitor your child’s myopia with regular eye checkups every 6 months and comply to the treatment regimen.

4.      Does the myopia control methods reduce my child’s myopia?

Currently, there are no methods to cure myopia as there is no control on the growth of the eyes. These available myopia control methods aim to stabilise or slow down myopia progression only. Once the person reached 18 years of age, he or she may choose to have a permanent correction with Laser Refractive Surgery (eg. LASIK) to treat their myopia and enjoy freedom from spectacles/contact lens. Laser Refractive Surgery normally enables spectacle/contact lens freedom till to the time one develops cataracts due to old age.

5.      Do eye exercises or vitamins treat myopia?

Advertisements or health shows may claim that it can cure myopia but sadly, it is a myth. There is no clinical evidence to support the benefits to the eyes in taking vitamins or by doing eye exercises. Eye exercises may only help for better focus and in reducing eye-strains. On the other hand, adopting good eye-care habits may prevent myopia or slow down its progression. The only definitive treatment for myopia would be glasses, contact lenses, LASIK surgery or advanced Refractive Cataract Surgery & Intraocular Lens Implantation. The latter 2 surgeries are only performed in adulthood – LASIK surgery is FDA approved for 18 year olds and Cataract Surgery is typically performed from middle age onwards.

6.      What are the consequences of myopia?

Myopia carries many long-term sight-threatening complications as myopes are more likely to develop retinal detachment, macular degeneration, early onset of cataracts and glaucoma. The higher the myopia, the higher risk of developing these conditions, and at an earlier age.