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Slow the progression of nearsightedness and preserve long-term eye health
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Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision condition where close objects appear clear, while distant objects appear blurry. To see clearly, light entering the eye needs to focus directly on the retina, or back of the eye. With myopia, the eyeball grows too long, (increased axial length), causing light to focus in front of the retina.
Myopia often begins in childhood and can progress over time. High levels of myopia increase the risk of eye health issues later in life, which is why treatments like myopia control are often recommended to slow its progression.
Myopia is rapidly increasing worldwide. Currently, it affects around 30% of the global population. By 2050, it is projected that nearly 50% of the world's population. Environmental factors, combined with genetics, contribute to myopia risk, making early eye exams important for monitoring and managing its progression.
Myopia is more likely to develop in:
Children with myopic parents: Genetics play a strong role; children with one or both parents who are nearsighted have a higher chance of developing myopia.
Individuals with high near-work demands: Extended time spent on close-up tasks, like reading, using screens, or doing detailed work, increases myopia risk, especially in children.
People with limited outdoor time: Studies suggest that children who spend less time outdoors are more likely to develop myopia. Children should be spending at least 2 hours per day outside exposed to natural daylight as this may help prevent its onset.
Children and teenagers: Myopia often begins in childhood and typically progresses through the teenage years when the eyes are still developing.
While no treatment can fully stop the development of myopia, several effective methods are available to slow its progression. Although results vary by individual and treatment type, studies indicate that myopia control methods can reduce myopia progression by 30-50% on average. Common myopia control methods include low-dose atropine eye drops, specialized soft contact lenses (ex. CooperVision MiSight 1 day), and myopia control eye glass lenses (ex. Hoya Miyosmart lens).
Why is this important? Myopia significantly increases the risk of developing sight-threatening eye diseases later in life, such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration. The higher your child’s myopia, the greater the risk. Managing myopia progression early can be crucial to preserving long-term vision.
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