Nearsightedness in Children: Myopia or short-sightedness is an epidemic in school-going children across the world. With the increase in indoor play and prolonged screen usage, myopia is only going to increase further as per experts. Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly prevalent among children worldwide. This vision impairment causes distant objects to appear blurry while close objects remain clear. The prevalence of myopia in children has been steadily increasing over the past few decades.

A study published in The Lancet estimated that nearly half of the world's population could be myopic by 2050, a significant rise from 28 per cent in 2010. The rate is especially high in Asia, where up to 90 per cent of teenagers and young adults are affected.

What Causes Nearsightedness (Myopia) in Children?

Several factors contribute to the increasing incidence of myopia in children:

Increased Screen Time

The digital age has led to children spending more time on screens—computers, tablets, and smartphones. This prolonged near-work is associated with the onset and progression of myopia. A study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that children who spent more time on screens had a higher risk of developing myopia.

Reduced Outdoor Activity

Less time spent outdoors is another significant factor. Natural light exposure is crucial for eye health, and spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce the risk of myopia. Research in JAMA Ophthalmology suggests that each additional hour spent outdoors per week can reduce the risk of myopia by 2 per cent.

Genetics also play a role. Children with myopic parents are at a higher risk of developing the condition. However, environmental factors are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to the myopia epidemic.

The rise in myopia among children is not just a concern for vision clarity; it can lead to more severe eye health issues in the future. High myopia increases the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts. So what should you as a parent do to reduce Myopia risk?

We got in touch with Dr Digvijay Singh, Director, Noble Eye Care, Gurugram who shares tips to reduce myopia progression in kids.

1. Ensure Regular Use Of Glasses: Children should be encouraged to use their glasses all the time as this reduces the amount of strain on the eye muscles and eye fatigue. While this may not have a direct impact on the power in the immediate short term, there is a tendency for the eye power to jump in the long-term follow-up.

2. Spend Time Outdoors: Studies have shown that spending time outdoors playing in natural light and looking far distances is a protective factor for myopia progression. Try to ensure that your child spends atleast 2 hours a day doing outdoor play.

3. Reduce Prolonged Near Activity: Near activity of any form whether reading or watching a screen should be done with breaks and at an adequate distance from the eyes. Schedule your child to take breaks every 20-30 minutes during a near activity task and focus on a far-off object for a few seconds or minutes. Refrain from a continuous near-activity task of more than 45 minutes. Also, ensure that any near activity is not done at a distance closer than 33 centimetres from the eyes.

4. Using Diluted Atropine Eye Drops: The ophthalmologist may prescribe certain specially formulated eye drops which are now being used to prevent the progression of myopia. These are eye drops of diluted atropine, which is a medicine used for pupillary dilation and eye muscle relaxation. If prescribed, it should be put in the eyes every night at bedtime for many months to years during the growing age of the child.

5. Myopia Control Glasses: Special spectacle lenses have been developed which are designed to control the progression of myopia through creating a slight defocus in the peripheral image. These glasses may be used to reduce the rate of progression of myopia and are gaining popularity. The price is a little steep at present. These should only be used if prescribed by the ophthalmologist.

6. Special Contact Lenses: Special contact lenses called orthokeratology lenses are available which have to be worn overnight. These act on the cornea and change its shape slightly to reduce myopia progression. These may be prescribed by the ophthalmologist in special situations.