Myopia or nearsightedness is a common condition among children in recent years. Myopia is increasing quickly in children, leading to worries in parents, teachers, and healthcare providers. It damages the quality of life of a child, causing distractions in his studies and social interactions. If not treated early, myopia would result in permanent vision loss after years. Get a proper eye check-up done at Dr Agarwal’s to address and treat myopia effectively.

This blog explains everything about myopia in children: early signs and management. Scroll below to understand in detail.

What Is Myopia? 

Myopia is a most prevalent issue of eyesight in growing kids and younger generations. In this condition, the things that are far away may look blurred, while nearby objects can be seen clearly. This happens when a light shifts its direction and falls in front of the retina, instead of directly falling on it. This can occur in early childhood and continues to develop as they grow. 

Causes For Rise Of Myopia Among Children:

There are many reasons that cause myopia among children. Genetic disorders, changes in lifestyle, increased screen time, the modern education system, etc. would lead to myopia in children.  

Early Signs Of Myopia:

• The child keeps squinting his eyes often and faces difficulties while focusing distant objects.
• Headaches will be more frequent due to the strain on the eyes.
• They can find it difficult to see far away objects, like reading blackboards or identifying people and things from far apart.
• They face inconvenience and can’t concentrate on things, which may result in poor academic performance.
• They will be having strain on the eyes and fatigue, especially, after continuous activities that include reading or using digital devices.

How To Manage Myopia In Children

Many treatments are available to cure myopia in children. These are designed to suit the specific eye conditions.

• Using corrective lenses, such as glasses or contact lenses, is the ultimate solution to treat myopia early and correct vision. It can be corrected by adjusting refractive errors of the eye. 
• Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, is another non-surgical treatment. The children are given a specified contact lens to wear it during the night. It helps in reshaping the cornea and temporarily improves vision during the day.
• Some medical treatments including atropine eye drops can correct the problem of myopia by improving the focusing mechanism of your eyes, and hence, minimizes the risk of sight loss.

Managing Myopia Through Lifestyle Adjustment

• Increase Outdoor Playtime:

Children need to spend more time doing outdoor activities. Playing outside during the day will help in direct exposure to sunlight, that in turn helps in improving your child’s eye health and reduces the problem of myopia.

• Limit Screen Period:

Minimize the usage of digital devices like tablets, ipods, iphones, smartphones, and computers. This reduced screen time will automatically prevent fatigue and give relaxation to your kid’s eyes.

• Regular Eye Examinations:

Maintaining a regular eye check-up routine will help in monitoring changes in eyes and also to detect and diagnose Myopia at the earliest.

• Balanced Diet:

The best way to manage myopia in children is giving them a nutrient-rich food like vitamin A, C, and E, and omega-3 fatty acids, which improves your kid’s eye health. 

• Promote Good Visual Habits:

Introduce proper and natural lighting in your house and reduce glare. Provide them with an ergonomic study area that helps them maintain their posture and helps in reduction of strain on their eyes. 

Conclusion

It is better to understand myopia and its effects to protect your child’s eye health. Identifying early signs and symptoms of myopia, applying proper management techniques, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can manage eye problems.

Share your thoughts.