Myopia or short-sightedness (minus number) is a big public health problem and is likely to affect a huge proportion of the world’s population in the next 25 – 30 years. The problem occurs because of an increase in the size of the eyeball. As the child grows so does the eyeball and this leads to an increase in myopia.

This condition is sometimes ascribed to positive family history or a lifestyle involving too many near activities. As this condition worsens as the child grows, this can cause future health problems for the child. Newer research has improved our understanding of the condition and is helping us manage these children better and offer the following solutions to retard the progression of myopia.

Playing outdoors

Times have changed and children now spend a lot of time indoors in homes and classrooms. When possible, they should plan more outdoor activities. Most children spend more than 2 hours per day using digital gadgets. Increased outdoor activity can retard the onset of myopia by nearly 25 %. When children spend more time outside, they are likely to exert less strain for near-vision activities. Vitamin D formation increases when the child is outside.

Reducing digital gadgets usage

Lifestyle has been attributed to causing a major increase in myopia. Most children spend a lot of time on mobile and i-pads and of course television. This has been proven to lead to an increase in myopia. Limiting the number of hours on electronic gadgets should be stressed in the life of children.

Medicines and lenses

Atropine drops in very low doses have been proven to retard the progression of myopia. Using one drop at night in the eyes has been advised. The use of special contact lenses for overnight use has also been advocated. Some have also advised the use of multifocal contact lenses to reduce the progression of myopia.

If myopia increases in children, the dependency on glasses will increase and this will limit the participation of children in sports. An increase in myopia can be viewed as a public health problem. While many kids are genetically prone to develop myopia, we can make every effort to retard the progression of myopia. Consult your eye doctor for more information.

Dr. Ramesh Murthy is one of the best pediatric ophthalmologists, squint surgeons, and eye specialists in Pune and India and he is available at Axis Eye Clinic which is one of the best eye clinics in Pune.