If your child is squinting, complaining of headaches or having trouble concentrating at school, they may be suffering from myopia.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is on the rise in American children. Not only is myopia rising, but it is also starting to present younger and younger and tends to get more severe as the child ages.
Luckily, if you know the risk symptoms and factors, you may be able to manage your child’s myopia.
WHAT IS MYOPIA?
Simply put, myopia is blurry long-distance vision that usually begins between the ages of 6 and 14. If your child suffers from myopia, it means they can see clearly up close, but objects or images viewed at a distance appear blurry.
Myopia is common, affecting nearly 5% of preschoolers and 9% of school-aged children. It occurs when the image seen by the eye is focused prior to reaching the retina, causing the image to be out of focus and appear blurry.
WHAT CAUSES MYOPIA?
As more and more is learned about childhood myopia, the following causes have been outlined as potential reasons why young children may develop nearsightedness.
THE EYE IS GROWING TOO QUICKLY
Childhood onset myopia is most commonly caused by the eyes growing too quickly, or growing at a time when eye growth should stop (around 12 years old). Several factors can affect eye growth, from genetics, to environment to individual characteristics.
GENETICS
Unfortunately, if either of the child’s parents suffer from myopia, they are more likely to suffer from the condition as well.
TOO MUCH NEARSIGHTED EYE ACTIVITIES
Recent studies link myopia with performing nearsighted work too often. These activities include things such as reading books, colouring or watching TV too closely.
If you are concerned that your child may be suffering from myopia, book an appointment with their eye doctor today and request that they have a children’s eye examination to receive a proper diagnosis.
SYMPTOMS
Unfortunately, children don’t often report vision symptoms, as they have nothing to compare their eyesight to, assuming it’s just how everyone else sees too. Your child may not know they are suffering from blurry vision, which is the most common symptom of myopia, so it is important that you watch out for all of the following symptoms and risk factors.
SYMPTOMS
Common symptoms of myopia in children include:
- Squinting or closing one eye
- Moving closer to or sitting near objects they are trying to pay attention to, like the TV
- Clumsiness
- A decrease in academic performance
- Complaints of headaches, eye pain, or sensitivity to light
RISK FACTORS
The following risk factors are associated with myopia.
ETHNICITY
Ethnicity is a considerable risk factor associated with myopia. Studies have shown that Asian and Hispanic children are at a higher risk of developing myopia in childhood.
AGE
As myopia tends to get worse over time, age is an important risk factor to take note of. Generally, myopia occurs during the ages of 6-14 and typically progresses until age 20.
GENETICS
As previously mentioned, a child is more likely to suffer from myopia if one or both of their parents suffer from the condition.
CAN MYOPIA BE PREVENTED?
Although myopia cannot be prevented, it may be slowed.
To help slow the progression of myopia in your child you should:
- Get your child’s vision checked regularly
- Ensure your child follows all recommendations mentioned by their eye doctor, including wearing corrective lenses if needed
- Make sure your child wears sunglasses with UV radiation protection
- Schedule regular breaks for your child from nearsighted activities
- Make sure your child eats a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids
- Encourage your child to get outdoor playtime
HOW IS MYOPIA DIAGNOSED?
In order to get a myopia diagnosis, your child will need to receive an eye examination. When your child receives a children’s eye exam, their eye doctor will check the overall health, vision and condition of their eyes.
Myopia is a common eye condition so your child’s eye doctor will be able to identify if your child suffers from this condition easily through a regular eye exam.
HOW IS MYOPIA TREATED?
If your eye doctor diagnoses your child with myopia, there are several treatment options available to you:
- Contact lenses or specialty lenses
- Prescription eyeglasses
- Refractive surgery (only necessary in severe cases)
The best way to find a treatment that is right for both you and your child is to book an appointment and discuss a treatment plan with your doctor that is best suited to your child’s vision needs.
Dr. Kapadia originally hails from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brock University. He then went on to graduate with honors from the Michigan College of Optometry in 1998, where he specialized in contact lenses. After he graduated, Dr. Kapadia completed a one-year residency at the renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida, where he focused on ocular diseases.
Dr. Kapadia graduated with honors from the Michigan College of Optometry in 1999, where she received the Wesley-Jessen award for Outstanding Work in Contact Lenses. During her studies, she also served as President of Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH), which works to improve the sight of millions of people in developing countries.
After growing up in Minersville, Pennsylvania, Dr. Price graduated from Susquehanna University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. Dr. Price continued her education at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and completed her training in 2016. After graduation, Dr. Price spent her career studying advanced eye diseases and specialized Low Vision services and devices.
Dr. Morgan Kickliter grew up in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Dr. Phillips earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Georgia before achieving his Doctor of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry. There, he served as Vice President of the Georgia Optometric Student Association and provided free and cost-reduced optometric care to underserved patients in Mexico and Belize with the Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity. He served his residency at Gainesville Eye Associates, focusing on ocular diseases.