Myopia (nearsightedness) in children is more than just blurry distance vision. It’s a progressive condition, and once a diopter of vision is lost, it cannot be regained. While corrective lenses can restore clarity, they don’t reverse the underlying loss, and higher levels of myopia significantly raise the lifetime risk of serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy [1].
Fortunately, there are interventions that can meaningfully slow the advance of myopia. By understanding these current options, from optical and pharmaceutical treatments to lifestyle changes, parents and eye care professionals can work together to safeguard children’s vision now and reduce the risk of vision-threatening complications later in life.
1. Corrective Lenses
Glasses and standard contact lenses remain the most common tools for correcting blurred vision caused by myopia. While essential for visual clarity, conventional lenses, whether eyeglasses or soft contacts, do not slow the underlying progression of the disease. They are important for everyday vision but must be paired with other strategies for long-term myopia management [2].
2. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Orthokeratology, or Ortho‑K, is a non-surgical way to help correct myopia (nearsightedness) using specially designed rigid, gas-permeable contact lenses that are worn overnight. These lenses gently reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea) while the child sleeps, so they can see clearly during the day without needing glasses or daytime contact lenses [2].
More than just a refractive aid, Ortho-K has been shown to help slow down the eye’s axial elongation, which is the main factor that causes myopia to worsen. Studies have shown that Ortho-K reduced axial elongation by 50% over a 2-year period [3]. These findings underscore Ortho-K’s potential to both correct nearsightedness temporarily and also to modify its course.
One drawback is that Ortho-K may not be suitable for children under age 6 [4]. Ortho-K requires oversight by a licensed eye care professional to ensure proper fit, hygiene, and follow-up.
3. Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine eye drops (commonly 0.01–0.05%) have emerged as a well-researched medical approach for slowing myopia progression in children. In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) notes that “the largest positive effects for slowing myopia progression have been exhibited by antimuscarinic medications,” for example atropine [5]. Unfortunately, atropine has undesirable effects at commercially available concentrations and is not available in the United States at low enough doses except through a compounding pharmacy [5].
Because dosing and monitoring are critical, children using atropine for myopia control should always be under the ongoing care of a licensed eye care professional who can track its effectiveness and watch for side effects.
4. Behavioral & Lifestyle Changes
Simple, non-invasive lifestyle habits can make a big difference in helping to manage myopia. Two key strategies stand out, not only for protecting vision, but also for supporting overall health and well-being:
- Increased outdoor time: Exposure to natural light has been associated with a reduced risk of developing and worsening myopia in children. Also, being outdoors requires the eyes to focus on distant objects and this focusing may help to regulate eye growth [6].
- Reduced near work/screen time: Activities that involve near vision, for example reading, writing, or viewing digital devices, have been associated with increased myopia risk. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours of screen time per day for children ages 6 and older (exclusive of schoolwork) [7].
Why Professional Guidance Matters
Each child’s visual development is unique. Treatment strategies that work well for one child may not work for another, and some, such as orthokeratology, require careful monitoring because of potential risks including infection. That’s why it is essential to seek care from a licensed eye care professional who can tailor an approach to the child’s age, progression risk, and lifestyle, and monitor eye health and prescription changes over time.
While there are several approaches to help slow myopia, some are not appropriate for very young children, or FDA-approved in the U.S. But the good news is that researchers and innovators are actively exploring new treatments and one promising investigational therapy currently in development is showing promise in children as young as age 3. Learn more here: https://www.sydnexis.com/pipeline
References:
[1] https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27734/myopia-causes-prevention-and-treatment-of-an-increasingly-common-disease
[2] https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2803079
[3] https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420%2818%2933073-2/fulltext
[4] https://pressvision.com/ortho-k-age-limit/
[5] https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(22)00867-3/fulltext
[6] https://www.myopiaprofile.com/articles/why-outdoor-time-matters-in-myopia-development
[7] https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/138/5/e20162592/60321/Media-Use-in-School-Aged-Children-and-Adolescents