Nearsightedness, sometimes referred to as myopia, is a prevalent condition affecting children of all ages. In the US, myopia affects 5% of toddlers, 9% of elementary-aged children, and 30% of teenagers. And the quantity is growing. According to research, over half of the world's population will suffer from myopia by 2050. This is why it's critical that parents comprehend this eyesight problem.
Why is there a rise in myopia?
Numerous ideas exist to explain why more kids are growing up nearsighted. It is well known that children who play outside are less likely to develop myopia.
Spending time outside improves vision in a number of ways. Your body releases dopamine when it comes into contact with sunshine. The layer of cells at the back of the eye called the retina, which receives light via the cornea and transmits messages to the brain, is thought to be impacted by dopamine, according to research. Dopamine inhibits axial development, or the lengthening of the eye. Light beams don't concentrate on the retina as they should when the eye lengthens into an oval form instead of the round shape it should be, which results in nearsightedness.
Vitamin D is also obtained from sunshine. According to some research, those who have myopia have reduced vitamin D levels compared to those who do not. To determine if the vitamin and myopia are related, researchers still need to gather additional information.
Lastly, children see a wider image when they are outside. Kids spend an increasing amount of their time on electronics, especially for school, which forces their eyes to gaze intensely on tiny, bright screens. It's not only technology, either. Studies reveal that the majority of our activities, including reading and screen time, are almost within reach. Children may practice focusing at different distances when they are outside—it's like an eye "exercise."
Frequent Eye Exams Could Identify Myopia Early
When should your child begin receiving routine eye exams? Basic eye testing is frequently conducted in schools, however this cannot take the place of an examination by a licensed optometrist.
Between six months and one year of age, doctors advise getting your child a complete eye check if there is no cause to suspect any visual issues. Before kids enter kindergarten, the following one ought to take place.
However, there are specific circumstances in which your kid could require more frequent or earlier eye tests. This covers the case where your early-born infant has retinopathy of prematurity, or ROP. High myopia is a risk factor for babies with ROP.
If you or your physician feel that your kid may have a vision issue, they may also need to undergo earlier or more frequent eye tests. Another factor is if you or your other kids use glasses or have had treatment for ailments like amblyopia, also known as "lazy eye," or strabismus, which is the crossing of the eyes.
Early Intervention Is Essential
If your child has myopia, getting them treated well at an early age is crucial. Young children in preschool utilize their eyesight to gain knowledge about their surroundings. When kids start school, having clear eyesight is essential for learning. Furthermore, your child may be more susceptible to more severe eye problems in the future if they have severe myopia.
Children who don’t get myopia treatment, or get it later, run the risk of struggling in school because they can’t see what’s being presented in class. They might not be able to perform daily tasks like learning to drive or participate in sports that call on distant vision. They could find it more difficult to socialize and form friendships with their peers.
Children who are myopic may also have related eye conditions. Retinal detachment is one condition in which the retina separates from the back of the eye. If this medical emergency is not treated as soon as feasible, it could result in blindness. If the detachment occurs closer to the center of the eye, even after therapy, there can be some permanent vision impairment.
Severe myopia, often known as high myopia, affects between 5% and 15% of the myopic population. This increases their chance of developing eye issues later in life, which may impair their eyesight or possibly result in blindness. Among them are:
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Degeneration of the macular pigment
These disorders can still affect people with less severe myopia, but the risk increases with increasing myopia.
Consult your pediatrician if you have any worries about your child's vision. Your child's perception of the world may improve with early detection.
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