Q: My daughter was diagnosed with nearsightedness a few years ago, and is getting worse each year. What can we do to slow or stop this so she does not end up with strong thick glasses?
A: Good news to share with you, because we now have three methods to do exactly that! First, I should point out that nearsightedness, medically called “myopia” is increasing faster in children these days, seemingly as they spend more and more time staring at digital screens like tablets and cell phones. This increase means their eyes are growing longer than they should, causing blurry vision for distance. Perhaps even worse, is that longer eyes also carry a higher risk of retinal detachments later in life.
The most recent studies I have seen from the UK with 289 children between 6 and 12 years old found a significant improvement in myopia progression with atropine eye drops. This topical eye medication is applied in a very low concentration once a day, and has again shown real value in preventing progression in nearsightedness. Generally a parent instills one drop in the lower eyelid of both eyes each morning. This is a prescription medication and must be prescribed by your eye doctor. And generally, the children are monitored in three to six month intervals the first year, and annually thereafter.
We are finding good results also by prescribing specialized soft contact lenses and even a new eyeglass lenses design that both slow the progression of myopia. For children already beginning this trend and wearing glasses, all three options may be appropriate. You should have a discussion with your eye doctor to decide which approach is best for your youngster.
As in this most recent study in England, the sooner you begin treatment the better to reduce or slow myopia progression. And while some parents have said they will “ just wait until their child is 18 and could legally undergo refractive surgery like LASIK”, the longer than normal eye shape by then still causes increased risks of retinal thinning and complications in adulthood. Clearly, the best treatments are initiated early in life, and not waiting until corneal surgery is legally allowed. And rightfully, many parents are hoping to prevent or minimize the social issues many children face in school as a thick glasses wearer.
While orthodontics are readily embraced by most parents, this new aspect of preventive vision care is new and largely not understood by parents. We are hopeful this will change soon.