Myopia is a common vision condition where distant objects appear blurry. In case your child is experiencing eye strain and frequent headaches, chances are, they’re suffering from myopia.
Here we discuss the causes of progression of myopia in children:
What are the Causes of Myopia in Children?
A number of genetic and environmental factors cause myopia or nearsightedness. However, the predominant cause of nearsightedness is genetics. Children often inherit the tendency to develop myopia from their parents.
The manner in which a person uses their eyes may lead to the progression of myopia. This includes detailed or up-close work like reading a book, using a computer, and so on.
At the same time, in case your cornea is too curved or eyeball is too long, the light fails to enter your eyes correctly. In such cases, the image focuses in front of the retina, i.e., the light-sensitive part of your eye.
As a result, your kid experiences a blurry vision, otherwise known as a refractive error.
What are the Causes of Progression of Myopia?
Typically, myopia progresses as a result of an increase in the eye’s axial length. Here we discuss other factors that can contribute to the progression of myopia:
Wearing Glasses all the Time
Wearing glasses 24/7 can potentially worsen myopia. In case your child has low myopia, they should glass for activities like watching TV, playing sports, or when using the computer. Glasses for low myopia are not necessary for near vision tasks like writing, reading, or doing homework.
On the flip side, if your child has moderate or night myopia, they may have to wear their glasses for near, as well as distant work.
Wearing Glasses with Full Correction
Wearing glasses that boast full correction can also lead to myopia progression. For instance, if your child has a refractive error of -2.5 diopter, your eye doctor may prescribe an under corrected lens of -2.0 or -2.25 diopter.
This is because under correction is optimal. It not only offers a significantly clearer vision, but it also slows down the progression of myopia over time.
Natural Eye Growth
Your child’s myopia may get worse as their eye grows and changes shape. Myopia tends to worsen throughout the teenage years and until your child reaches 20 years.
This is because the eye stops growing around the age of 20.
Genetics
Genetics can also result in the development as well as the progression of myopia. The risk is relatively significant if both parents are myopic.
Limited Play Time in the Sun
Spending less time outside also contributes to the progression of myopia, especially if the kid spends an hour or two outside. Outdoor playtime is necessary for kids with myopia as it offers their eye muscles a chance to take a break and enjoy the sunlight.
Prolonged Use of Digital Devices
Spending hours on end on digital devices is also known to worsen myopia. Children who spend hours using multiple types of devices like computers, tablets, smartphones, etc., may worsen their condition.
This is because prolonged exposure to screens can subject your child’s focusing skills to immense stress. It, in turn, can cause myopia progression or eyestrain.
Prolonged Tasks Requiring Near Vision
Various tasks that require prolonged use of your near vision, including writing, reading, computer use, smartphone use, and so on, cause worsening of myopia.
The Bottom Line
If you suspect your little one has myopia, book an appointment with your doctor. Failure to treat myopia may lead to worsening symptoms.
Sources
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/nearsightedness-myopia
https://www.chp.edu/our-services/ophthalmology/myopia/myopia-signs-and-symptoms
Myopia is a common vision condition where distant objects appear blurry. In case your child is experiencing eye strain and frequent headaches, chances are, they’re suffering from myopia.
Here we discuss the causes of progression of myopia in children:
What are the Causes of Myopia in Children?
A number of genetic and environmental factors cause myopia or nearsightedness. However, the predominant cause of nearsightedness is genetics. Children often inherit the tendency to develop myopia from their parents.
The manner in which a person uses their eyes may lead to the progression of myopia. This includes detailed or up-close work like reading a book, using a computer, and so on.
At the same time, in case your cornea is too curved or eyeball is too long, the light fails to enter your eyes correctly. In such cases, the image focuses in front of the retina, i.e., the light-sensitive part of your eye.
As a result, your kid experiences a blurry vision, otherwise known as a refractive error.
What are the Causes of Progression of Myopia?
Typically, myopia progresses as a result of an increase in the eye’s axial length. Here we discuss other factors that can contribute to the progression of myopia:
Wearing Glasses all the Time
Wearing glasses 24/7 can potentially worsen myopia. In case your child has low myopia, they should glass for activities like watching TV, playing sports, or when using the computer. Glasses for low myopia are not necessary for near vision tasks like writing, reading, or doing homework.
On the flip side, if your child has moderate or night myopia, they may have to wear their glasses for near, as well as distant work.
Wearing Glasses with Full Correction
Wearing glasses that boast full correction can also lead to myopia progression. For instance, if your child has a refractive error of -2.5 diopter, your eye doctor may prescribe an under corrected lens of -2.0 or -2.25 diopter.
This is because under correction is optimal. It not only offers a significantly clearer vision, but it also slows down the progression of myopia over time.
Natural Eye Growth
Your child’s myopia may get worse as their eye grows and changes shape. Myopia tends to worsen throughout the teenage years and until your child reaches 20 years.
This is because the eye stops growing around the age of 20.
Genetics
Genetics can also result in the development as well as the progression of myopia. The risk is relatively significant if both parents are myopic.
Limited Play Time in the Sun
Spending less time outside also contributes to the progression of myopia, especially if the kid spends an hour or two outside. Outdoor playtime is necessary for kids with myopia as it offers their eye muscles a chance to take a break and enjoy the sunlight.
Prolonged Use of Digital Devices
Spending hours on end on digital devices is also known to worsen myopia. Children who spend hours using multiple types of devices like computers, tablets, smartphones, etc., may worsen their condition.
This is because prolonged exposure to screens can subject your child’s focusing skills to immense stress. It, in turn, can cause myopia progression or eyestrain.
Prolonged Tasks Requiring Near Vision
Various tasks that require prolonged use of your near vision, including writing, reading, computer use, smartphone use, and so on, cause worsening of myopia.
The Bottom Line
If you suspect your little one has myopia, book an appointment with your doctor. Failure to treat myopia may lead to worsening symptoms.
Sources
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/nearsightedness-myopia
https://www.chp.edu/our-services/ophthalmology/myopia/myopia-signs-and-symptoms
