Childhood Myopia: Treatment Alternatives to Glasses
Childhood Myopia: Treatment Alternatives to Glasses
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Myopia, also known as near-sightedness, is a common vision problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterised by the inability to see distant objects clearly, while close-up objects appear sharp.


Many people mistakenly believe that wearing glasses will help correct myopia, but the truth is that glasses merely correct vision and do not address the underlying condition. It is a common misconception that glasses are the only answer to myopia and there are several reasons why glasses may not be the best solution for treating myopia.


Let us be clear, glasses only provide a temporary fix for myopia. They do not address the underlying causes of the condition, which can progressively worsen over time. This means that children who wear glasses to correct their myopia may find that their prescription gets stronger as they get older, and their vision deteriorates over time.


Moreover, glasses can pose several challenges for children who are new to wearing them. They may find glasses uncomfortable or inconvenient, as they can fog up, slide down, or break easily, resulting in frustration and added expense.


Glasses can also limit a child's participation in physical activities like sports or swimming, which can be especially problematic for active kids and teens who need to maintain clear vision at all times.


Additionally, relying on glasses as a means of correcting myopia can actually alter the way the eyes function. Over time, the eyes may become accustomed to a specific distance and struggle to adjust properly to different viewing distances.This can lead to a condition known as "lazy eye," where one eye becomes weaker and less responsive than the other, further exacerbating myopia.


Fortunately, there are alternatives to glasses that can help treat myopia more effectively.1,2,3 One such option is Orthokeratology (Ortho K for short). It is a non-invasive procedure that involves the use of specially designed and fitted contact lenses to temporarily reshape the front surface of the eye to improve vision.


Ortho-k has been shown to be effective in slowing or even stopping the progression of myopia, which can help to prevent the need for stronger glasses in the future.


Vision therapy is another potential treatment for myopia that is non-invasive and non-surgical. This personalised program is designed to improve and strengthen visual skills, as well as retrain the visual system to better interpret visual input with greater accuracy and ease.


Vision therapy can be especially beneficial for children and teens, as it can address underlying vision issues that may be contributing to myopia.While glasses have long been the treatment to slow down the progression of myopia, they are not always the best answer for everyone.


They provide a temporary fix, but they do not address the underlying causes of the condition and can be inconvenient and cumbersome to wear.


If you are looking for an effective one for your child, do consider exploring alternative options such as ortho-k or vision therapy, your child with myopia may be able to achieve better outcomes and reduce the need for glasses or other treatments in the future.


References

  1. Myopia (Nearsightedness). Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8579-myopia-nearsightedness.
  2. Myopia (nearsightedness). American Optometric Association. Available at: https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/myopia?sso=y.
  3. Myopia Control in Children. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/myopia-control-in-children.
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