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Myopia Causes: Is Your Child At Risk?

Myopia Causes: Is Your Child At Risk? in PRIMARYCITY

Myopia Causes: Is Your Child At Risk?

There is evidence that genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development and progression of myopia in children; an eye disease more commonly known as “nearsightedness”. Left untreated, it can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration. The following article will explore these factors to assess which children may be predisposed for this condition.

Although there is no cure, there are various interventions to slow progression and correct vision. Children should have periodic ocular exams to assess vision and ocular health and to detect and treat complications. The earlier detection occurs the sooner it can be treated to slow progression.

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What Are Possible Risk Factors for Myopia?

The following factors are associated with the development and progression of myopia:

  • Genetics/Hereditary: There is evidence that this condition is found in families. A hereditary component may contribute to eye growth irregularities associated with this condition, in the form of eye lengthening and increased corneal curvature. 
  • Increased eye-strain may occur from:
  • Excessive exposure to digital devices- Reducing screen time may prevent additional strain. 
  • Excessive close-up work (such as reading for extended periods) may also cause strain, and possibly lead to myopia development and its progression.
  • Overuse of Prescription Glasses/Corrective Contact Lenses: There is some evidence that in children with low level myopia, over-using glasses or contacts may worsen the condition.
  • Excessive time spent indoors: Studies suggest that children who spend more time outdoors are less apt to develop this disorder.

Common Questions

Myopia management is an active treatment seeking to slow down the progression of myopia, and thereby reducing the risk of developing vision threatening ocular diseases associated with high levels of myopia. With myopia management this will not only provide clear vision but aim to slow the growth of the eye and thus slow the change in prescription over time. There are various myopia management treatment options including ortho-keratology specialty hard lenses, specialty multifocal contact lenses, and atropine eye drops. Consult your eye doctor today to determine which treatment option is right for you.
Myopia is when the cornea, the front curvature of the eye, is too strong or the eyeball is too long, resulting for a person to see blurry far away. There are both genetic and environmental causes for myopia. In regards to family history, if both parents have myopia, there is a 50% chance the child will develop myopia. If one parent has myopia, there is a 33% chance the child will develop myopia. But even if neither parent has myopia there is a 25% chance the child will develop myopia. There are also environmental factors that can cause/be risk factors of myopia. For example if a person does excessive near work, spends more than 2 hours per day on digital devices, or spends less than 90 minutes a day outside, these can all increase the risk of developing myopia.
Pre-myopia is the stage right before a patient starts to develop a minus prescription. Pre-myopia is a refractive state of an eye that is between +0.50-+0.75D of hyperopia, and when a child has an increased risk of developing myopia in the future based on other factors as well. It is important to identify this stage to intervene and start discussing methods to prevent the onset of myopia. At this point, your eye doctor may recommend you spend more time outdoors (at least 2 hours per day), reduce the amount of time spent on near tasks or on digital devices, or begin taking low doses of atropine depending on how high your risk factors are for myopia. Be sure to have regular comprehensive eye exams so your eye doctor can determine what the best course of treatment is for you.
Is myopia management really necessary? Answer: Yes. Myopia is a growing disease and if you don't catch it early and take action to slow its progression, it increases your risk of developing vision-threatening eye conditions such as myopic maculopathy, retinal detachment, and glaucoma. In addition, the more myopia you have, the more you will need to depend on your glasses and this will affect your overall quality of life. Consult with your eye doctor about various myopia management treatment options.
Myopia usually appears in childhood and as a child grows, especially during their critical growth period, their myopia can get worse with age. Typically once a person reaches 18 years old, or after college when they are done with prolonged near work, the myopia tends to stabilize. However, to prevent myopia from reaching high levels, which can then lead to various sight threatening ocular diseases, it’s important to try to slow down the progression of myopia. Therefore, talk to your eye doctor today about various myopia management treatment options to help slow down the progression of your myopia.
Severe or high myopia is when your refractive error is greater than or equal to 5-6.00 Diopters of myopia.
There are various myopia management treatment options available to slow down the progression of your myopia. These include ortho-keratology speciality hard lenses, speciality multifocal contact lenses, and atropine eye drops. Consult your eye doctor today to determine which treatment option is best for you.
As you grow, your eyeball grows longer resulting in your myopia to increase. However there are certain factors that can exacerbate the rate of your myopia progressing, some that are in your control and others that are not. There can be genetic factors that can increase your risk of developing higher levels of myopia, for instance if both of your parents are myopic this increases your risk of myopia. However, there can also be environmental factors as well. For instance, if you spend a prolonged period of time on digital devices (more than 2 hours per day) or do excessive near work in dim lighting, or spend very little time outdoors (less than 2 hours per day) this can all increase the rate of myopia progression. As your myopia progresses this places you at a higher risk of developing various sight-threatening ocular diseases, so be sure to consult your eye doctor today on various myopia management treatment options to help slow down the rate of your myopia progressing.
Yes. High myopia significantly increases your risk of getting various sight threatening ocular diseases, such as myopic maculopathy, retinal detachments and glaucoma. If you have 6.00D or more of myopia the risk of you getting myopic maculopathy increases by 40x whereas if you have low levels of myopia, like -2.00D, the risk of you getting myopic maculopathy is only 2x. Consult with your eye doctor about various myopia management treatment options.
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Myopia In Children: Schedule An Ocular Exam

Myopia manifests as blurred distance vision. Many parents first become aware of a possible condition when their child complains that it's hard to see things from afar, such as watching a movie, taking down notes off the classroom whiteboard, or playing sports. If you have a family history of this condition or are just generally concerned, schedule an optometric exam to check your child’s visual acuity and ocular health, and to explore treatment options. 

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