Myopia is one of the most common refractive errors and has a significant impact on eye health in the short, medium and long term. Its incidence has increased at an alarming rate, turning it into a public health concern.
Myopia occurs when the light entering the eye does not focus directly on the retina but in front of it. As a result, near vision remains clear, while distance vision becomes blurred.
Why is early intervention important?
Children’s vision develops primarily during the first 10 years of life, from near to distance focus. This development directly influences their daily activities, interest in reading and academic performance. At the same time, children often do not realize they are not seeing clearly because they have no basis for comparison. In addition, they can compensate for blurred vision due to their strong ability to accommodate.
That is why, as adults, it is important to ensure their visual system functions properly. When it comes to myopia, we must understand that it can progress rapidly in children, as their entire body is growing quickly. Once detected, early intervention is essential to slow its progression and reduce the risk of associated eye conditions later in life.
What solutions are available for myopic children?
1. Glasses with special myopia control lenses
2. Soft contact lenses
3. Overnight contact lenses
4. Low-dose atropine eye drops
When should children have an eye examination?
School-aged children are recommended to have a vision check. If a problem is detected, the specialist may decide to schedule more frequent evaluations, depending on the child’s needs.
Most often, children are brought in after they notice they cannot read the board clearly at school. However, even if they do not complain about vision problems, signs such as poor posture while reading or writing, squinting or rubbing their eyes may indicate that they are making too much effort to see clearly. In such cases, a comprehensive eye examination is recommended.
