Is It Possible to Reverse or Reduce Myopia in Children?

You might be wondering if myopia can be reversed. Unfortunately, there is no magical solution that will totally cure myopia. However, there is excellent news! We can efficiently manage myopia as well as, in the case of kids, significantly delay its advancement. For more information about myopia and how to manage it, contact Kathleen Andersen , OD.

Reversing the effects of Myopia in children

Myopia happens when the eyeball elongates a little more than average. This causes the light to focus on the front of the eye rather than directly on it, leading to unclear distance vision. Myopia development can be affected by both genetic and environmental factors. While the shape of the eyeball cannot be changed permanently, we can take steps to prevent additional elongation and control existing blurriness.

1. Myopia Correction for Children: Slowing the Progress

While total reversal is not possible, myopia control measures offer a preventative strategy for kids. By using these techniques early on, we can drastically limit myopia progression, enhance your child’s vision, and reduce their future potential for certain eye disorders. Here are several effective myopia control solutions available.

2. Specially built eyeglasses

Certain lenses, such as those with peripheral defocus gadgets, may help slow myopia growth. They expand the zone of good vision, potentially reducing eyeball elongation.

3. Soft contact lenses

Some soft contact lenses, such as orthokeratology (ortho-k) or multifocal lenses, may also help manage myopia. Ortho-k lenses are put on overnight to slowly reshape the cornea, resulting in clear vision throughout the day without the need for daytime lenses.

4. Lifestyle changes

Spending more time outside (about two hours per day) may help reduce the rate of myopia progression in youngsters. Additionally, encouraging suitable screen behaviors, such as taking regular breaks and keeping optimal screen distance, may prove beneficial.

5. Atropine eye drops

Optometrists can give low-dose atropine eye drops that calm the eye muscles and disrupt receptors in the optic nerve and sclera, thus preventing eye growth. For most youngsters, atropine medication can delay the progression of myopia by approximately 50%.

The formula of low-dose atropine eye drops differs, with concentrations of 0.01%, 0.025%, and 0.05%. The small dose maximizes benefits while minimizing potential adverse effects such as eye irritation, redness, or edema.

6. Vision therapy

Vision therapy is an exercise program customized for your child. It makes use of filters, prisms, and video games to improve the balance of their eyes and brain. It can train the eyes to adapt better focus between close and far objects, possibly slowing the development of nearsightedness. It may relieve the eyestrain and headaches that usually come along with myopia, making visual tasks such as reading simpler.

Can Myopia be Reversed?

Reversing Myopia is not possible. Traditional vision correction procedures, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, can improve vision but will not cure myopia. Adult individuals for refractive eye operations, such as LASIK, can improve their vision by changing the eye’s surface. Although vision correction surgery cannot fix the problem, it can (in some situations) provide a long-term solution to nearsightedness. However, not everyone is a candidate for cataract surgery, particularly those with significant myopia or severe astigmatism. The operation also does not remove the factors that lead to myopia development.

Fortunately, there are many options for reducing myopia progression in kids. Controlling myopia may help prevent vision loss and lower the risk of related eye issues.

How Your Eye Doctor Monitors Myopia Progression.

Caring for your child’s vision should begin early. Experts suggest that kid have their first eye test around the age of six months, then undergo a follow-up exam by the age of two or three and another shortly before school begins. Even if your child has had a vision screening by their physician or at school, they must visit an eye doctor who specializes in children’s vision for a complete checkup to rule out any issues that may arise.