Myopia, or nearsightedness, is increasingly common in children today. In the UK, studies show that up to 20% of children have myopia by age 7 and up to 60% by age 12. As a parent, you want to do everything you can to slow the progression of myopia in your child to avoid higher prescriptions and potential eye health issues later in life.
Here are 5 effective strategies:
Increasing time outdoors
Spending time outdoors, especially in daylight, can significantly slow myopia progression in children. Aim for your child to get at least 2 hours per day of outdoor time. This could be playtime, sports, or even just walking to school. The brighter outdoor light helps stimulate dopamine release in the retina, which reduces axial elongation of the eye and slows myopia progression.
Take frequent breaks during work
Intense, sustained work like reading or using digital devices is linked to faster myopia progression. Make sure your child takes a 10-15 minute break every 30-45 minutes during studying or screen time to give their eyes a rest. Have them look into the distance during the break to relax their eyes.
Ensure proper distance for reading/screens
Maintain a distance of at least 30 cm when reading or using screens. Bringing books or devices closer strains the eyes and may encourage myopia progression. Teach your child the “pencil test” – place a pencil horizontally from the nose and ensure screens/books stay behind it.
Prioritise sleep. Sleeping more at night provides recovery time for eyesight. School-age children need 9-12 hours per night. Insufficient sleep may contribute to eyestrain and myopia development. Set consistent bedtimes to ensure your child gets adequate rest.
Eat a healthy diet
Nutrition impacts every body system, including the eyes. Make sure your child’s diet includes antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Key nutrients for eye health include vitamins A, C, and E, along with lutein and zeaxanthin. A wholesome diet supports healthy vision development.
The key is early intervention and consistency with these healthy habits. By being diligent with the 5 strategies above, you can help your child maintain healthy eyes and potentially slow their myopia progression.
Don’t wait until it’s too late – myopia can progress rapidly in children and lead to more severe vision problems down the line. Booking regular comprehensive eye exams with our optometrists is crucial for monitoring your child’s vision and detecting myopia early on.
Our Child Myopia Control Treatments
At our leading optometry practice, we understand the importance of proactive myopia management for your child’s bright future. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of specialised, clinically proven treatments to slow myopia progression and safeguard your child’s vision.
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Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses
These revolutionary rigid gas-permissible lenses are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps. During the day, they can enjoy crisp, clear natural vision without contacts or glasses. Ortho-K not only corrects myopia but has been shown to dramatically slow its progression by up to 59%*.
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Multifocal Contact Lenses & Glasses
Our precisely designed multifocal lenses create a “myopia defocus” effect that reduces peripheral retinal defocus – a key driver of myopia development. Available as soft contacts or no-line multifocal glasses, this treatment allows your child to see clearly while their eyes are “defocused” in the periphery to halt worsening myopia. View our options here, including our varifocals!
Our experienced optometrists will carefully evaluate your child’s unique visual profile and lifestyle needs to recommend the ideal customised treatment plan. Many children benefit from a combined approach using two or more of these clinically-backed modalities.
With our cutting-edge myopia control solutions and your commitment to protective habits at home, we can dramatically slow the advancement of your child’s myopia. This reduces their risk of serious future eye conditions like retinal detachment, early cataracts, and glaucoma associated with high myopia.
Don’t let worsening myopia hold your child back – invest in a clear, healthy vision that unlocks their full potential for a lifetime. Call us today to schedule your child’s myopia evaluation and take the first step towards a brighter tomorrow.
