Myopia in Children
Myopia is a refractive error we encounter very often in daily life. According to statistics, 30–40% of the population in Europe and America and 70–90% in Asia are myopic.
Myopia is a refractive error we encounter very often in daily life. According to statistics, 30–40% of the population in Europe and America and 70–90% in Asia are myopic.
Today myopia is treated with laser. Unfortunately, however, science has not made much progress in stopping it from getting worse.
What Causes Myopia?
Today both heredity and environmental factors are thought to play a role in refractive errors. In myopic people the eyeball is longer than normal. Activities such as excessive reading and playing computer games are environmental risk factors that can start and/or increase myopia.
At What Age Does Myopia Start?
Myopia can be present from birth, and it can also start in adulthood (after the age of 20). However, what we call school myopia starts between the ages of 7 and 16.
If the Parents Wear Glasses, Will the Child Necessarily Have a Refractive Error?
No, this is not necessarily so, but there is a genetic predisposition.
Can Studying a Lot or Playing Computer Games Damage the Eyes?
In a child who is genetically predisposed to myopia, constantly looking at near objects can bring out myopia.
Is It True That Myopia Is Linked to Intelligence?
Many studies have shown that the intelligence quotient (IQ) of myopic people is 7–8 points higher than that of non-myopic people. Similar results have been found within families: myopic siblings have been found to have a higher IQ than their non-myopic siblings. These statistics can be explained in two ways: either the genes for myopia and intelligence are inherited together on the same chromosome, or more intelligent people spend more time reading and myopia develops in the eye. Myopic children have also been found to do better at school.
Should Glasses Be Worn All the Time? What Happens If They Are Not?
It is recommended that glasses for myopia are worn all the time in childhood and adolescence. If they are not worn, the prescription is thought to increase faster.
Is There a Way to Stop the Prescription from Increasing?
According to the results of reviews and meta-analyses published in BMC Ophthalmology in 2019:
- Children should be given their full prescription; it should not be kept lower.
- For preventing the progression of myopia, bifocal glasses are not superior to distance glasses.
- Atropine 0.05% drops slow progression. (However, atropine drops have side effects such as sensitivity to light, difficulty with near vision, allergy and myopia progressing even faster when they are stopped.)
- Orthokeratology contact lenses worn at night slow progression. (But they carry risks such as eye infection.)
- Multifocal soft contact lenses slow the progression of myopia.
- Spending time outdoors protects against myopia.
LET US ENCOURAGE OUR CHILDREN TO SPEND TIME OUTDOORS.
Until What Age Does the Prescription Increase?
It usually increases until the age of 18. Progression is fastest between the ages of 9 and 10 in girls and between 11 and 12 in boys.
What Is the Earliest Age for Laser Treatment of Refractive Errors?
Laser treatment can be done at the age of 18 at the earliest, but the prescription must have been stable for the past year.
Facts and Myths
Myth: If weaker glasses are worn for myopia, the prescription increases less. (In fact: the glasses should match the eye’s actual prescription.)
Fact: In adolescence, glasses for myopia should be worn all the time.
Myth: Contact lenses are not recommended in adolescence. (In fact: young people can wear contact lenses from the age of 11.)
Fact: Hyperopia decreases as children grow older.
Myth: Myopia decreases with age. (In fact: myopia does not decrease with age.)
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This article is for general information only and does not replace a medical examination or personalised medical advice.