Prevalence of Myopia or Shortsightedness is on the rise. This increase is being observed globally. Factors such as urbanization, lifestyle, genetics, and education can play a role on the tempo of progression. In addition Myopia tends to develop and progress in childhood and adolescence.
Hand in hand with myopia progression we observe increased incidence of certain eye conditions; mainly retinal degenerative problems and in some instances glaucoma. From this perspective it is important to have children’s eyes examined early on.
Our Therapeutic approaches used to mitigate progression include;
1/ Specially designed single focus lenses with augmented peripheral focal zones.
2/ Multifocal Spectacle Lenses and Specialised Contact Lenses
3/ Pharmacological Agents; low concentration atropine drops which do not induce accommodative spasm yet have been shown to reduce eye’s axial elongation and such reduce myopic progression.
4/ Lifestyle Modifications; encouraging healthy visual habits and balanced lifestyle, spending time outdoors, having breaks from prolonged up close work including use of electronic devices, maintaining correct near posture and working under sufficient light.
Maintaining a well balanced diet and having regular eye checks is also advised.
It is worth mentioning this therapeutic management of myopia depends on factors, including; severity of myopia, age of onset and tempo of progression, and of course your preferences.
some references;
Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2019 Sep-Oct;8(5):360-365.
JAMA Ophthalmol. 2023 Jun 1:e232097. doi:
10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2023.2097.
BMJ Open. 2023 Apr 20;13(4):e068822. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068822.
Benavente-Pérez A, Nour A, Troilo D.Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci.
2014 Sep 4;55(10):6765-73.
Meta-Analysis Cochrane Database Syst Rev
2020 Jan 13;1(1):CD004916.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004916.pub4.
Interventions to slow progression of myopia in children
Jeffrey J Walline 1, Kristina B Lindsley 2, S Swaroop Vedula 3, Susan A Cotter 4, Donald O Mutti 1, Sueko M Ng 5, J Daniel Twelker 6
Correcting progressive myopia with bifocal contact lenses with
central zone for distant vision: changes in accommodation and axial length (a
preliminary report)
S E Avetisov 1 2, A V Myagkov 3 4, A V Egorova 3 4
DOI: 10.17116/oftalma201913501142
Meta-Analysis
Efficacy Comparison of 16
Interventions for Myopia Control in Children: A Network Meta-analysis