Understanding Myopia in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Modern Treatment Options
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, has become one of the most prevalent eye conditions affecting children worldwide. In India, studies suggest that approximately 35% of urban children now have myopia, with numbers rising each year. This dramatic increase has prompted eye care professionals to describe it as a growing epidemic that demands attention from parents, educators, and healthcare providers alike.
Understanding myopia in children is crucial because this condition is more than just an inconvenience requiring glasses. High myopia significantly increases the risk of serious eye problems later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. At Samyak Eye Care Clinic in Vaishali, Ghaziabad, we specialise in myopia control treatments that can slow progression and protect your child's long-term vision.
What Is Myopia and How Does It Develop?
Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long from front to back, or when the cornea curves too steeply. This causes light rays to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it, resulting in clear near vision but blurry distance vision. Children with myopia can see books and screens clearly but struggle to see the whiteboard at school or recognise faces across a room.
The condition typically develops during childhood when the eyes are still growing. Most cases appear between ages 6 and 14, though myopia can develop earlier or later. Once myopia begins, it usually progresses until the late teens or early twenties when eye growth stabilises. The earlier myopia starts, the more time it has to progress and the higher the final prescription tends to be.
What Causes Myopia in Children?
Research has identified several factors that contribute to myopia development:
Genetic Factors
Children with myopic parents face a significantly higher risk of developing the condition. If one parent has myopia, the child's risk approximately doubles. If both parents are myopic, the risk increases to five or six times that of children with non-myopic parents. While genetics play a role, they don't fully explain the recent dramatic increase in myopia rates.
Excessive Near Work and Screen Time
Extended periods of close-up activities—reading, studying, using smartphones, tablets, and computers—are strongly associated with myopia development and progression. The eyes adapt to the constant near focus demand, potentially triggering elongation of the eyeball. With children spending more time on screens for education and entertainment, this risk factor has become increasingly significant. Digital vision syndrome from excessive screen use can compound these problems.
Insufficient Outdoor Time
Multiple studies have demonstrated that children who spend more time outdoors have lower rates of myopia. Researchers believe that exposure to bright natural light stimulates dopamine release in the retina, which helps regulate normal eye growth. Children who spend at least two hours daily outdoors show significantly reduced myopia risk, regardless of how much near work they do.
Concerned about your child's increasing myopia? Call 98999 60700 to schedule a comprehensive paediatric eye examination.
Recognising Myopia Symptoms in Your Child
Children often don't realise they have vision problems because they assume their experience is normal. Parents and teachers should watch for these warning signs:
• Squinting to see distant objects clearly
• Sitting very close to the television or holding devices near the face
• Difficulty seeing the whiteboard or screen at school
• Frequent headaches, particularly after visual tasks
• Eye strain or fatigue during or after school
• Rubbing eyes frequently
• Declining academic performance despite effort
• Avoiding activities that require distance vision
If your child exhibits any of these signs, a professional eye examination is recommended. Early detection allows for timely intervention and better long-term outcomes.
Why Myopia Control Matters Beyond Clear Vision
Many parents assume that myopia is simply corrected with glasses and requires no further attention. However, high myopia (typically defined as prescriptions of -6.00 dioptres or more) significantly increases the risk of sight-threatening conditions:
• Retinal Detachment: The elongated eyeball stretches the retina thin, increasing tear and detachment risk
• Glaucoma: High myopes have 2-3 times higher glaucoma risk
• Myopic Macular Degeneration: Stretching damages the central retina, affecting detailed vision
• Cataracts: Develop earlier and more frequently in highly myopic eyes
Every dioptre of myopia increases these risks. This is why slowing myopia progression during childhood—when the condition typically worsens—can have profound benefits for lifelong eye health.
Modern Myopia Treatment Options
Today's myopia management goes far beyond simply prescribing stronger glasses each year. Evidence-based treatments can slow myopia progression by 50% or more:
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Ortho-K lenses are specially designed rigid contact lenses worn overnight while sleeping. They gently reshape the cornea, providing clear vision throughout the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses. Beyond the convenience of glasses-free days, Ortho-K has been shown to slow myopia progression significantly in children. This treatment is particularly popular among active children who find glasses inconvenient for sports and play.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
Low-concentration atropine drops (typically 0.01% to 0.05%) applied daily have proven effective in slowing myopia progression. The mechanism isn't fully understood, but the treatment is well-tolerated with minimal side effects at these low doses. Atropine therapy is often combined with other treatments for maximum benefit.
Speciality Contact Lenses
Multifocal soft contact lenses and peripheral defocus lenses are designed specifically for myopia control. These lenses provide clear central vision while creating specific optical effects in the peripheral retina that signal the eye to slow its growth. For children who aren't candidates for Ortho-K, these daytime lenses offer an effective alternative.
Want to learn which myopia control treatment is right for your child? Book a consultation with Dr. Shalini Jain for personalised guidance.
Lifestyle Changes to Help Manage Myopia
In addition to professional treatment, parents can implement several lifestyle modifications to help manage their child's myopia:
• Increase outdoor time: Aim for at least 2 hours of outdoor activity daily
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes of near work, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
• Maintain proper reading distance: Keep books and screens at least 30-40 cm from the eyes
• Ensure good lighting: Adequate lighting reduces eye strain during near tasks
• Limit continuous near work: Take regular breaks during homework and screen time
Expert Myopia Care in Delhi NCR
At Samyak Eye Care Clinic, Dr. Shalini Jain has dedicated over 25 years to paediatric eye care and myopia management. Our clinic offers comprehensive services, including myopia control programmes, Ortho-K fitting, and vision therapy—backed by 4+ government awards and the trust of 37,500+ satisfied patients across Vaishali, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Kaushambi, and the greater Delhi NCR region.
Don't let myopia progression compromise your child's future vision. Take action today with expert myopia management.
Call: 98999 60700
Website: www.samyakeyecare.com
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Myopia treatment options vary based on individual factors, including age, prescription, and lifestyle. Please consult Dr. Shalini Jain at Samyak Eye Care Clinic for a comprehensive evaluation and personalised treatment recommendations for your child.
