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What does it mean when my child has myopia?

Myopia, commonly called nearsightedness, is when your child can see things up close clearly—like when reading a book or using your phone—but things far away, like a street sign or a whiteboard in class, look blurry. It happens because the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) is too curved, so light coming into the eye focuses in front of the retina (the back part that senses light) instead of directly on it. Think of it like a camera that’s out of focus for distant objects.

Risk Factors of Myopia

• Family History: If your parents or siblings have myopia, you’re more likely to get it too because it can run in families.

• Too Much Close-Up Work: Spending lots of time reading, writing, or staring at screens (phones, tablets, computers) without breaks can strain the eyes and contribute to myopia.

• Not Enough Outdoor Time: Kids who spend less time outside in natural light are at higher risk. Sunlight and open spaces seem to help the eye grow properly.

• Age: Myopia often starts in childhood (around 6-12 years old) and can worsen during the teen years as the body grows.

• Environment: Living in urban areas or places with intense focus on education and close-up tasks (like in some Asian countries) can increase the risk.

How Myopia Affects Children’s Development

• School and Learning: If a child can’t see the board or distant objects clearly, it’s harder to follow lessons, read notes, or participate in class. This might slow learning and lower confidence.

• Sports and Activities: Blurry distance vision can make it tough to catch a ball, ride a bike safely, or join in outdoor games, limiting physical activity and fun.

• Social Isolation: Kids might feel left out if they can’t see well to play with friends or notice facial expressions from afar, which can affect friendships or self-esteem.

• Eye Health Risks: High myopia more than -6D can increase the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts later in life.

Protecting Your Child's Vision

For kids, catching myopia early is key. If you notice a child squinting, sitting too close to screens, or complaining about blurry vision, see an eye doctor!

Regular eye checkups, spending more time outdoors (at least 1-2 hours a day), and taking breaks from screens or books (like the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds) can help.

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Treatment and Control of Myopia

Glasses, special overnight lenses (Ortho-K) and Atropine eye drops are safe and effective methods to correct vision and slow myopia progression.

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