Myopia (Nearsightedness) progression Control: You actually need to know about this

Introduction

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, especially among children and young adults. While commonly used spectacles and contact lenses correct vision, they do not slow the progression of myopia. If left uncontrolled, high myopia can lead to serious eye conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular problems. Fortunately, various strategies can help slow myopia progression and reduce long-term risks. Myopia progression control is unfortunately ignored by some clinicians, however keen attention should be focused on it in order to reduce myopia complications.

Understanding Myopia Progression

Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This leads to blurry distance vision. Myopia tends to worsen during childhood and adolescence as the eye continues to grow. Several factors contribute to its progression, including:

  • Peripheral hyperopic defocus: One of the key reasons myopia progresses is due to peripheral hyperopic defocus. This occurs when traditional glasses or contact lenses correct central vision but allow peripheral light rays to focus behind the retina. The eye interprets this as a signal to grow longer, worsening myopia over time.
  • Screen Time and Near Work: Excessive time on screens or reading at close distances may accelerate myopia.
  • Outdoor Exposure: Limited time spent outdoors is linked to faster myopia progress 


Effective Myopia Control Strategies

1. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): These overnight lenses reshape the cornea, improving vision while reducing peripheral hyperopic defocus during the day.

2. Specialized Myopia Control Lenses

  • DIMS (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) Glasses: These spectacle lenses help manage peripheral focus and reduce myopia progression. examples are Myosmart (Hoya) and Stellest (Essilor)
  • Duo-focus & Multifocal Soft Contact Lenses: Designed to correct both central and peripheral defocus, helping to slow down eye elongation. Lenses like MiSight (CooperVision) reduce myopia by creating myopic defocus

3. Atropine Eye Drops

 Low-dose atropine (0.01% to 0.05%) is a well-researched treatment that slows myopia progression by relaxing the eye’s focusing mechanism.

4. Increased Outdoor Time

Studies show that children who spend at least two hours daily outdoors have a lower risk of myopia progression. Natural light exposure helps regulate eye growth and reduces strain from near work.

5. Managing Screen Time and Near Work

  • Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
  • Maintain a proper reading distance (about 30–40 cm for books and 50-70 cm for laptops).
  • Avoid prolonged screen use, especially before bedtime.

6. Nutritional Considerations

A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and lutein supports eye health. While diet alone won’t stop myopia, good nutrition contributes to overall eye function.


The Future of Myopia Control

Ongoing research is exploring new methods, such as light therapy and advanced pharmaceutical treatments. Early intervention remains the best approach, so regular eye check-ups are crucial to monitor progression and implement the right control measures.


Final Thoughts

Myopia progression control is essential for reducing the risk of severe eye complications later in life. Parents, educators, and eye care professionals should work together to adopt effective strategies for children at risk. Whether through specialized lenses, lifestyle changes, or medical interventions, slowing myopia progression can significantly improve long-term eye health.

Do you have any personal experiences or questions about myopia control? Let’s discuss in the comments!

References

Comments

  1. Aaron Aaron LUKYAMUZIMarch 25, 2025 at 9:22 AM

    Thanks for always updating us on issues to do with our vision health. You're doing a really tremendous work!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Vision ChroniclesMarch 25, 2025 at 9:28 AM

    Thanks for appreciating siršŸ„°

    ReplyDelete

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