MYOPIC KIDS

Myopia (short sightedness) is considered to be a global epidemic, with serious concerns of younger children becoming myopic and progressively getting worse to high myopia.  The estimate of the increased number of myopic people is from the 27% in 201o, by 2050 over 50% of the worlds population will be myopic.

Myopia management requires a very individualised approach, and there are options, which we customise to each person.  The earlier this approach is started, the better – why wait until their myopia is bad? Or even better checking before the child develops myopia. The sooner the progression to higher myopia is slowed or stalled, the better.  Why wait? The standard of care has changed very rapidly in the past few years.

At CapitalEyes, our approach is a first visit to check your child’s vision, their refraction (level of myopia – or not), their binocular vision and focus control.  Combining this with information about parents myopia, time outside and near time, we then can give an indication of their myopia risk factors.

If the risk factors are moderate or high, then we recommend a further appointment to assess also the axial length of the eye, and discuss the options for myopia treatments or monitoring.  The younger a child with higher risks for progression the more important this is.

If your child or teenager is myopic (short-sighted), the likelihood is that it will progress as they grow.  For some this is a slow progression, while others have rapid changes.

Why is this important?

Previously the standard approach to managing eyecare for children and teens with myopia was simply to prescribe glasses to correct the focus error.  Then each year prescribe stronger glasses as required.

However having to wear glasses or contact lenses is not the only issue with myopia development.  The longer axial length of a myopic eye is a known risk factor for eye health conditions later in life.  These include peripheral retinal disease, glaucoma, cataract and myopic macular degeneration.  These are potential sight-threatening conditions and the higher the myopia the higher the risk that they may occur.  So it is important to minimise myopia to lower the risks.

What are the treatment options?

The best methods available to us that have evidence of up to 60% slowing in progression are

  • Spectacle lenses with peripheral defocus optics

  • Low dose atropine eye drops used nightly

  • Contact lenses – daily disposable with peripheral defocus optics

  • And sometimes combining 2 of these treatments

There’s a lot for parents to consider

We understand that there is a lot to take in, and often to discuss further at home to decide the best plan your family.  After your child’s consultation, our optometrists will email you with a re-cap of the visit and provide information pages on the treatment options recommended.

As part of our ongoing follow-up for children/teens with myopia, we then provide you with further email summaries and graphs showing the results compared to age-norms and treatment expectations.

What are we expecting?

Previously we have relied on the optical correction needed for clear vision – often called the refraction or prescription.  But now we also have both the ability to measure the length of the eye (Axial Length) and the data that indicates what is normal expected growth changes – like the childhood growth charts.

Using these expected results we can see if a child/teen is changing faster than expected, and thus consider modifying our approach to treat their myopia.

Should I book my child for an eye examination?

Yes – if either parent, or siblings are myopic, ideally an eye check age 6 will give an indication of their risks.  If there are other signs such as difficulty to see far away or kids spending a lot of time reading or screens, and not much outdoor time, these are other risks for a child to develop myopia, and they also should be seen by an optometrist for a full assessment.
Our eye checks for kids are fun, and we take the time to communicate with parents so you have all the information and can help your child have a better vision future.