Myopia - Short Sightedness
What is it? What can we do about it?
Myopia is a term we are hearing more often these days.
It means - short sightedness. It means - the distance is blurred.
Unfortunately it is becoming more and more present in younger children due to factors such as inceased indoor time, increased screen time and genetic family history. Global experts predict that nearly 50% of the world's population will become affeccted by myopia by 2050.
It means - short sightedness. It means - the distance is blurred.
Unfortunately it is becoming more and more present in younger children due to factors such as inceased indoor time, increased screen time and genetic family history. Global experts predict that nearly 50% of the world's population will become affeccted by myopia by 2050.
How can you tell if your child has myopia?
Myopia needs to be diagnosed by an eyecare professional.
The usual symptoms suggesting you or your child may have it are:
Enquire with Sindy to arrange a check up!
The usual symptoms suggesting you or your child may have it are:
- Blurred distance vision
- Complaints that the board is blurred or far objects aren't clear
- Scrunching up the eyes when viewing far, to attempt to make things clear.
Enquire with Sindy to arrange a check up!
So.. it's myopia. Now what?
Myopia can not be reversed. But it can be controlled.
Today there are myriads of methods and techniques to try and control the amoung of myopia the eyes have and to attempt to slow any change.
There are a few methods to control the change, these include:
It is very important to carefully decide which method is the right one for your child's eyes. Make sure you have a good eyecare professional who can advise you on all the options and can assess the eye to see which is most appropriate.
BEST ADVICE - Latest research suggests to not forget the basics:
Today there are myriads of methods and techniques to try and control the amoung of myopia the eyes have and to attempt to slow any change.
There are a few methods to control the change, these include:
- Glasses with specialised myopia control lenses such as Hoya MIYOSMART lenses
- Glasses with progressive or bifocal lenses
- Contact lenses, soft, with myopia control features, such as the MYSIGHT lenses.
- Hard contact lenses to sleep in and be free all day with no correction needed - this is termed ORTHOKERATOLOGY
- Eyedrops to put in daily to control the change, called 'atropine' eye drops.
It is very important to carefully decide which method is the right one for your child's eyes. Make sure you have a good eyecare professional who can advise you on all the options and can assess the eye to see which is most appropriate.
BEST ADVICE - Latest research suggests to not forget the basics:
- Outdoor time for at least 90 minutes per day
- Sunlight has been shown to slow the onset and progression
- When using screens, take rest breaks every 20 minutes for at least 20 seconds, relaxing the eyes and looking away.
How can I learn more?
Keep up with the latest research!
Here is a great website for parents to find out more about the options and what to do:
www.mykidsvision.org
Ask Sindy to run a 'myopia calculator' which estimates your child's risk factors and what is the predicted myopia he/she will have by age 18!
Here is a great website for parents to find out more about the options and what to do:
www.mykidsvision.org
Ask Sindy to run a 'myopia calculator' which estimates your child's risk factors and what is the predicted myopia he/she will have by age 18!