Myopia
About
MYOPIA
Myopia, also known as near sightedness, is the most common ocular condition in children and young adults leading to blurred vision for distance viewing.
It is a serious public health concern of the 21st century and is projected to affect approximately half of the global population (5 billion) by 2050. Additionally, there will be 1 billion at the risk of developing myopia related complications that has potential to lead to visual loss.
The problem in India: Research publications in international journals indicate:
- The prevalence of Myopia among Indian urban children is predicted to increase from 20% in 2020 to about 48% by 2050.
- 5 out of 10 children (48%) living in urban regions of India are likely to have myopia by 2050 if no anti-myopia measures are initiated.
- 2 out of 10 children (20%) in India are known to have rapid myopia progression.
- Myopia progression is rapid in children who develop myopia at a young age.
- About 4% of the Indian myopes tend to have complications that can lead to permanent vision loss.
Risk: The current digital ecosystem, more indoor-centric lifestyle, involvement in intense near work activities (for entertainment and in strive for academic excellence) and limited outdoor time may result in an epidemic of myopia in India. A similar situation was seen in China or Singapore a few decades ago (and now 80-90 children out of 100 have myopia in these countries). People who are highly myopic are at a greater risk of developing early cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment later in life.
Myopia Clinic
A myopia clinic specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing myopia (nearsightedness). It is designed to address the needs of individuals who experience difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, a common vision issue.
Myopia Management?
Who needs
Myopia Management?
Signs your child might need Myopia Care Here are a few obvious signs that indicate your child may need to consult a myopia specialist and may need myopia management:
Sitting too close to the television or difficulty in copying from the blackboard
Doing things at a very close distance may be an indication that your child is already having nearsightedness or myopia. More often a child with myopia will hold their books or near objects very close to their face. If your child has these signs, a visit to a myopia care specialist is recommended for a detailed eye examination.
First time wearer of myopic spectacles
Regardless of the child’s age, every child for the first time wearing myopic spectacles requires a detailed risk assessment of myopia. Research has shown that myopia is a multifactorial condition and could be caused due to genetic or lifestyle influence, or both.
Frequent change in spectacle power
Frequent change in eye prescription (minus power) of your child is a telltale sign of myopia progression and an increase in the size of the eyeball. A regular visit to a myopia specialist is recommended if your child is squeezing the eyes to see the object, complaining of headache or blurred vision.
Parental myopia
Children with a family history of myopia (either parents or grandparents with myopia) have a higher risk of developing myopia. The risk of developing myopia increases from approximately 15-20% in children with one myopic parent to 35-45% percent with two myopic parents. Children with a positive family history of myopia should be identified for early prevention and management. History of myopia in siblings, especially if the elder sibling is already wearing spectacles or contact lenses for myopia, having a comprehensive myopia evaluation will help in the prevention of myopia in the younger one.
Increased time spent on near work
There is growing evidence suggesting that increased near work activities, prolonged reading/writing without regular breaks, and increased time spent playing games on hand held digital gadgets may cause or lead to the progression of myopia. Nowadays, the number of hours a child spends looking at a digital screen and books has drastically increased, and it has become more important than ever to make sure that the child looks at the far or takes frequent breaks. Proper monitoring of a child’s behavioral activities and/or lifestyle through various tracking devices, and appropriate consultation are required to reduce the risk of onset/progression of myopia.
Reduced time spent on outdoor activities
In the current scenario, the contemporary education system makes your child stay glued to either books or digital platforms, hence lack of outdoor activities and more of a sedentary lifestyle. Being engaged in more outdoor activities has been shown to reduce the risk of onset/progression of myopia. Effective consultation by a myopia care specialist is recommended to know the appropriate time and place for outdoor activities which may delay the onset of myopia or slow down the progression of myopia.
Services
Services at Myopia Care Clinic
Why Visit a
Myopia Clinic?
- Early Detection: Clinics help identify myopia early, allowing for prompt management to slow its progression.
- Customized Treatment Plans: Tailored solutions that consider individual needs and lifestyle.
- Expertise: Myopia clinics are staffed by specialists experienced in managing this condition.
Visiting a myopia clinic is beneficial for children and adults experiencing increasing nearsightedness or those seeking preventive measures.
Eye Care Tips
Eye Care
Tips
- Outdoor activities: Don't just stick around indoors. Studies have shown that staying outdoors to play can prevent onset of, and slow down, myopia progression.
- Take frequent eye breaks: Relax your eyes for 3 to 5 minutes after half an hour of close-range work or activity (e.g. homework, reading, usage of electronic device)
- Light up adequately: Increase the illumination of your workspace with a table lamp to reduce eye strain
- Read from a distance: Keep your reading materials at least 35cm away from your eyes, 50-60cm away from the computer and 2 metres or further from television.
- Work desk ergonomics: Allow yourself to be comfortable while working at your desk area but be sure to maintain a good posture (good distance away from reading material, straight back)
- UV protection: While outdoors, shield your eyes from excessive ultraviolet rays to prevent abnormal ocular changes. Most spectacles would have UV protection in their lenses.
- Protective eye wear: Choose a suitable pair of glasses when playing contact sports to prevent injuries and trauma to eye.
- Regular eye checks: Schedule and stick to regular eye check-ups - even if you have a clean bill of health for your peepers previously.
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