As the world changes, so do our bodies and, notably, our children’s eyes. In recent decades, there has been a significant spike in the number of children developing myopia (commonly known as nearsightedness) with numbers expecting to approach 50 percent of the world’s population by 2050.1 While often brushed off as a mere inconvenience that requires a pair of regular glasses or contact lenses to help see distant objects more clearly, this condition can set the stage for future eye health problems if not treated correctly and early on.2
Understanding the long-term impacts of myopia and the essential role of early intervention, or myopia management, is crucial for parents who want the best for their children's vision and overall well-being.3
Understanding myopia and its long-term effects
Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This condition results in distant objects appearing blurry while close objects remain clear. Although regular glasses and contact lenses can provide clear distance vision, they don't address the issue of the eye growing longer than it should, which can lead to severe eye risks.2
As myopia progresses, especially to high degrees, it increases the risk of various eye complications.2 These include retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts.2 Children with high myopia may face a future of significant and irreversible vision loss or, in severe cases, blindness.4
Impact on development
Myopia's influence extends significantly into a child's performance in both academic settings and extracurricular activities.5,6 A child grappling with uncorrected nearsightedness may find it difficult to see content on the board, read materials, or engage in visual detail work.
This struggle can cascade into challenges with learning, concentration difficulties, and a noticeable decline in academic performance.5 Furthermore, the visual disadvantage often leads to a withdrawal from sports and social events, impacting their holistic development,
self-esteem, and social skills.5,7
Spotting myopia early
Parents should watch for signs of myopia in their children, given its potential long-term effects. Early signs can include:8
- Squinting to see distant objects
- Sitting too close to the television
- Holding digital devices or books too close
- Complaining of headaches
An eye exam is the best way to diagnose myopia, and regular eye exams should be part of a child's health check-up routine.3
The role CooperVision® plays in myopia management
Treating myopia early may help to alter a child's future eye health. CooperVision® has been pioneering in this field, offering innovative solutions like specialized myopia control* soft contact lenses.
Our MiSight® 1 day contact lenses, for example, are the first and only soft contact lenses FDA-approved* to slow the progression of myopia in children aged eight to twelve at the initiation of treatment.9† These dual-purpose soft, daily disposable contact lenses are designed to both correct vision and slow the elongation of the eye.9
Long-term management success with CooperVision®
Myopia is more than a need for glasses or contact lenses to help see distant objects clearly. It is a condition that can significantly impact a child's future eye health, safety, and quality of life.2,5 The goal is to slow down the eye's growth to minimize future risks.2 Parents need to understand that there is no way to reverse myopia10 and it cannot be cured.11 Early detection, regular eye exams, and considering treatment options like those offered by CooperVision® are crucial steps in protecting your child's future eye health.
With proper myopia management care, we can help set them up for a brighter future. Contact CooperVision® to find a qualified eye-care professional today.
* U.S. Indications for Use: MiSight® 1 day (omafilcon A) soft (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to 4.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded after each removal. Canadian Indications for Use: MiSight (omafilcon A) Soft Contact Lenses for Myopia Control may reduce the rate of myopia progression in children (6-18) and correct ametropia. Reduction of myopia progression was observed in children with wearing time of 12 hours (8-16 hours) per day, 6.4 days (5-7) per week in a clinical study. Permanent myopia control after lens treatment is discontinued is not supported by clinical studies. MiSight (omafilcon A) Soft Contact Lenses for Myopia Control are indicated for single use daily disposable wear. When prescribed for daily disposable wear, the lens is to be discarded after each removal.
† Compared to a single vision lens over a 3-year period.
References:
- Holden BA et al. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmol. 2016;123(5):1036-1042.
- Flitcroft DI. The complex interactions of retinal, optical and environmental factors in myopia aetiology. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2012 Nov;31(6):622-60.
- https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/myopia-nearsightedness
- https://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/myopia-progression.htm
- Congdon N, Burnett A, Frick K. The impact of uncorrected myopia on individuals and society. Community Eye Health. 2019;32(105):7-8. PMID: 31409943; PMCID: PMC6688418.
- https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-care/parents-kids/vision-and-youth-sports/
- Li D, Chan VF, Virgili G, Piyasena P, Negash H, Whitestone N, O'Connor S, Xiao B, Clarke M, Cherwek DH, Singh MK, She X, Wang H, Boswell M, Prakalapakorn SG, Patnaik JL, Congdon N. Impact of Vision Impairment and Ocular Morbidity and Their Treatment on Depression and Anxiety in Children: A Systematic Review. Ophthalmology. 2022 Oct;129(10):1152-1170. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2022.05.020. Epub 2022 May 31. PMID: 35660416.
- https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/myopia-nearsightedness#symptoms
- Chamberlain P, et al. A 3-year randomized clinical trial of MiSight® lenses for myopia control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019; 96(8):556-67.
- https://www.allaboutvision.com/en-ca/myopia-faq/is-short-sightedness-reversible/
- https://www.mykidsvision.org/knowledge-centre/myopia-myths-and-treatments