Myopia in children is on the rise

Myopia, also known as short-sightedness, is on the rise among children worldwide, and parents in Manly and on Sydney’s Northern Beaches are noticing the trend as well. Eye specialists have flagged the increase in myopia and predict that close to half of the world’s population could be nearsighted by 2050, according to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Washington, USA.

While Washington is a long way from Manly in Sydney, New South Wales, the contributing factors to Myopia don’t discriminate by geography.

This article explains why myopia is becoming more common and how a nighttime contact lens therapy called OthoK (orthokeratology) can slow its progression.

The primary issue is a 21st-century affliction. Children spend a lot of time on their screens. Phones, computers, tablets, etc., focusing on things close up. We refer to this as “near work,” and much of it occurs indoors. This can encourage the eyeball to grow longer, which leads to myopia. Think of it like training a muscle. For each hour spent focusing on a screen close up, an hour is lost focusing on objects in the distance.

Another factor may be associated with play. Children are spending less time outdoors. There is a solid theory that outdoor play, where children are exposed to natural outdoor sunlight and focus on things in the distance during games and playtime, may protect against myopia. Studies show that children who play outdoors are less likely to develop nearsightedness. Sunlight and focusing on distant objects give children a healthy respite from screen time.

There is also genetics. Myopia can run in families. When one or both parents are nearsighted, the children have a higher risk of developing myopia. While genetics does play a role, it cannot explain the surge in myopia in children. Lifestyle factors are significant contributors.

At Ian Donald Optometrists, we have seen a spike in myopia cases in children, particularly over the past decade. This is often linked to increased screen time and less outdoor time. Manly and the Northern Beaches are not isolated; optometrists around Australia all report similar trends. High myopia can result in more serious eye conditions later in life, and the sooner we can address myopia, the better the outcome for children.

At Ian Donald Optometrists, we have been early adopters of Ortho-K, a safe and noninvasive therapy for treating myopia in children. The treatment is a specially designed contact lens that children wear overnight while they sleep to gently reshape the cornea. When they wake, they remove the lenses and can see clearly without needing glasses or all-day contact lenses. There is no surgery or laser involved. The reshaping of the cornea is temporary and reversible if the child stops the Ortho-K treatment.

Ortho-K has been the preferred option for optometrists treating myopia in children for years. It is popular with kids and teens because it allows them to continue their after-school activities, such as sports and playtime, without needing glasses. While Ortho-K won’t cure myopia, it will dramatically slow its progression.

Ortho-K doesn’t just correct your child’s vision; it also helps treat myopia. Numerous studies over the years show that Ortho-K can slow the progression of myopia by approximately 50% on average. In real terms, kids who use Ortho-K early end up with a lower prescription in their teen years than they would have without using the therapy.

It gives kids the freedom to be kids. They can traverse their active days without glasses or contact lenses. They only wear the lenses at night with parental supervision, significantly reducing the risk of infections that can occur with daytime contact lenses.

Parents love Ortho-K for its practicality. There are no glasses or contact lenses to worry about. Inserting, removing, and cleaning are done at home and can be part of the child’s bedtime routine. They can run, swim, and play sports with complete confidence.

Parents are naturally concerned when their child’s eyesight deteriorates. The team at Ian Donald Optometrists is here to support and help you and your child. We specialise in treating myopia in children, and our optometrists stay current with the latest research and technologies.

We employ state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, such as corneal topography, to customise the ideal Ortho-K lenses for your child’s eyes. We monitor the treatment to ensure its effectiveness and take the time to teach you and your child how to handle and care for the Ortho-K lenses correctly and confidently.

We aim to ensure that the treatment is friendly and reassuring for your child. If you have any concerns about your child’s eyesight or want to know more about Ortho-K, give us a call or book a consultation. We’re here to help.

Ian Donald Optometrists has been a permanent and trusted symbol for Manly and the residents of the North Beaches for decades. We specialise in Ortho-K and have helped hundreds of children transition to this safe, non-surgical option with excellent results.

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Book an appointment today and discover the difference that the locals make.