Looking after your child’s eye health.
As parents, our children’s health and happiness is top of our list of priorities and what could be more important than their eyes? Poor vision can hold them back from doing the things they love most so it’s important that we as Eye Care Professionals, ensure you, as parents, are fully informed about common eye health problems like myopia, also known as short-sightedness.
Children grow really fast, and so can the worsening of their myopia¹ which can lead to future eye health problems.² So, if your child has myopia or you suspect they might have it, don't worry, there is something that we can do to slow it; please read more about the options available so that you can make the right choices for their vision and eye health. Alternatively, go right ahead and book an appointment with our myopia experts now.
1. Zadnik K et al. Factors Associated with Rapid Myopia Progression in School–aged Children. Invest. Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004; 45(13): 2306.
2. Tideman J W et al. Association of axial length with risk of uncorrectable visual impairment for Europeans with myopia. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016; 134(12): 1355-1363.
What is myopia?
Short-sightedness, also known as ‘myopia’, can make seeing things at a distance blurry. If your child’s eyes are myopic, they may find it tricky to read the whiteboard or watch their favourite TV show from far away.
Myopia is typically caused by the eye growing slightly too long.¹ Your child might also find that their chances of being short-sighted are more likely if members of the family also have myopia.² ³
1. Tideman JW et al. Association of axial length with risk of uncorrectable visual impairment for Europeans with myopia. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016;134:1355-1363.
2. 2018, NHS guidelines: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/short-sightedness/
3. Wu MM, Edwards MH. The effect of having myopic parents: an analysis of myopia in three generations. Optom Vis Sci. 1999 Jun;76(6):387-92.
What causes myopia?
There is a link to modern lifestyles with near-vision activities and increased screen time – but genetics also plays a part if other family members have myopia.¹⁻⁷
Are members of your family myopic? If so, don’t hesitate, book your appointment now.
1. Morgan P. Is Myopia Control the Next Contact Lens Revolution? Optician Select. 2016. Available at: https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10.12968/opti.2016.5.127. Accessed August 2021.
2. Gifford P et al. The Future of Myopia Control Contact Lenses. Optom Vis Sci. 2016; 93(4): 336-43.
3. Morgan I G et al. Myopia: is the nature-nurture debate finally over? Clin Exp Optom. 2019; 102(1): 3-17.
4. Greenwald S H et al. Role of a Dual Splicing and Amino Acid Code in Myopia, Cone Dysfunction and Cone Dystrophy Associated with L/M Opsin Interchange Mutations. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2017; 6(3):
5. Wolffsohn J S et al. Global trends in myopia management attitudes and strategies in clinical practice. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2016; 39(2): 106–116.
6. Yazar S et al. Myopia is associated with lower vitamin D status in young adults. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014; 55(7): 4552-9.
7. Feldkaemper M et al. An updated view on the role of dopamine in myopia. Exp Eye Res. 2013; 114: 106-19.
Myopia in children is on the rise.
By 2050, 50% of the global population is predicted to be myopic.¹
1. Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, Jong M, Naidoo KS, Sankaridurg P, Wong TY, Naduvilath TJ, Resnikoff S, Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050, Ophthalmology, May 2016 Volume 123, Issue 5, Pages 1036–1042.
How myopia could affect your child.
Myopia can interfere with children’s quality of life, making it harder for them to participate in school, sports or other daily activities.1,2
Myopia can interfere with children’s quality of life, making it harder for them to participate in school, sports or other daily activities.1,2
It can worsen rapidly, particularly in younger children, so it's important to start treatment as soon as possible.3
It can worsen rapidly, particularly in younger children, so it's important to start treatment as soon as possible.3
Myopia can also lead to severe eye health problems later in life.4
Myopia can also lead to severe eye health problems later in life.4
Act now to help slow down the worsening of your child’s myopia.5*
1. Lamoureux E L et al. Myopia and Quality of Life: The Singapore Malay Eye Study (SiMES). Invest. Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008; 49(13): 4469.
2. Chua S Y L and Foster P J. The Economic and Societal Impact of Myopia and High Myopia. Ang M and Wong T. (eds) Updates on Myopia. Springer. 2020; 53-63.
3. Zadnik K et al. Factors Associated with Rapid Myopia Progression in School–aged Children. Invest. Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004; 45(13): 2306.
4. Tideman J W et al. Association of axial length with risk of uncorrectable visual impairment for Europeans with myopia. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016; 134(12): 1355-1363.
5. K. Zadnik, G.L. Mitchell, L.A. Jones, D.O. Mutti; Factors Associated with Rapid Myopia Progression in School–aged Children . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2004;45(13):2306.
How to spot the signs of myopia in your child.¹
Headaches.
Tired eyes.
Regularly rubbing their eyes.
Needing to sit close to screens, such as the TV.
Struggling to see classroom whiteboards from a distance.
If you think your child is suffering from any of these symptoms then they could be developing myopia so it’s best to act quickly and see one of our myopia experts.
1. Tideman JW, Snabel MC, Tedja MS, et al. Association of axial length with risk of uncorrectable visual impairment for Europeans with myopia. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016;134:1355-1363.
Ever wondered what it’s like to be myopic?
If you're not myopic yourself, it can be hard to envisage how debilitating the condition can be and how it affects everyday life for your child. These vision simulation images depict typical school scenes and gives you a feel for what life with myopia is like for children
Mid myopia: -0.25 to -3.00
High myopia: greater than -5.00
Moderate myopia: -3.25 to -5.00
The gym unaided: -6.00
Just as your child grows with every birthday, their eyes also continue to change as they get older. Regular eye exams help to spot any changes that could impair their vision and can help keep their eyes healthy for the future.
Myopia can be easily managed with a few simple steps so your child can still do lots of exciting things when they grow up – whether that’s becoming a professional athlete, studying the stars or taking care of others.
Does your child need regular eye exams?
Tips and Tricks to help your child’s eyes.
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Going outdoors to play, can keep myopia at bay – being outside in the sunlight has a protective effect against myopia.¹
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Try to incorporate a digital detox into your child’s weekly routine, reducing screen time that can be harsh on eyes.²
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Sleep is important – children need around nine hours of sleep a day and a lack of sleep has been shown to contribute to higher levels of myopia.³
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Encourage your child to hold books or devices at a distance – the same distance as from their knuckle to their elbow is a good guide – as holding them too close can increase myopia by causing changes in the length of the eye.⁴
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Not all contact lenses are equal; instead, opt for a specialist contact lens for children that not only corrects vision but helps slow the progression of myopia.⁵
Tips offered by Optometrist Hitesh Daya.
1. Tideman JW et al. Association of axial length with risk of uncorrectable visual impairment for Europeans with myopia. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016;134:1355-1363. Europeans with myopia. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016;134:1355-1363.
2. Foreman J et al. Association between digital smart device use and myopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis https:// doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(21)00135-7.
3. Liu, X.N., Naduvilath, T.J., Wang, J. et al. Sleeping late is a risk factor for myopia development amongst schoolaged children in China. Sci Rep 10, 17194 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-74348-7.
4. Ip JM et al. Role of near work in myopia: findings in a sample of Australian school children. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008 Jul;49(7):2903-10. doi: 10.1167/iovs.07-0804. PMID: 18579757.
5. Chamberlain P et al A 3-year Randomized Clinical Trial of MiSight® Lenses for Myopia Control. Optom Vis Sci 2019;96:556– 567.
What are the myopia control options for my child?
If your child has been diagnosed with myopia, conventional glasses will of course make their vison clearer when wearing them, but DO NOT slow the worsening of myopia. There are some clinically effective options that can slow the worsening of myopia.¹
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Dual-focus myopia management: MiSight® 1 day contact lenses.
• One-day soft contact lenses, worn during the day. Ideal for active children.
• Clinically proven for children aged 8+.² ³ ⁴ ⁵
• Feel more competent when taking part in sport and other physical activities.⁶
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MiYOSMART Myopia Managment glasses lenses.
• Slow down myopia progression by 60% in an easy, safe, effective and non-evasive way⁷
• Worn during the day. A good choice if your child diligently wears their glasses.
• Ideal for younger children.
• Available as sunglasses with MiYOSMART sun spectacle lenses.
* Children with myopia fit with MiSight® 1 day contact lenses ages 8-15 continued to experience slowed myopia progression as long as they remained in treatment.
1. The College of Optometrists. Myopia Management – Guidance for optometrists. https://www.college-optometrists.org/category-landing-pages/clinical-topics/myopia/myopia-management-%e2%80%93-guidance-for-optometrists. Accessed 8th June 2022.
2. Arumugam B et al. Modelling Age Effects of Myopia Progression for the MiSight 1 day Clinical Trial. Invest. Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2021; 62(8): 2333.
3. Chamberlain P et al. A 3-year Randomized Clinical Trial of MiSight Lenses for Myopia Control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019; 96(8): 556-567.
4. Chamberlain P et al. Myopia Progression in Children wearing Dual-Focus Contact Lenses: 6-year findings. Optom Vis Sci. 2020; 97(E-abstract): 200038.
5. Chamberlain P et al. Myopia progression on cessation of Dual-Focus contact lens wear: MiSight 1 day 7-year findings. Optom Vis Sci. 2021; 98(E-abstract): 210049.
6. Rah M J et al. Vision specific quality of life of pediatric contact lens wearers. Optom Vis Sci. 2010; 87(8): 560-6.
7. Mark A Bullimore, Eric R Ritchey, Sunil Shah, Nicolas Leveziel, Rupert R A Bourne, D Ian Flitcroft, The Risks and Benefits of Myopia Control, Opthamology 2021,ISSN 0161-6420, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.04.032.
Further reading
You may find the following sources useful: