04 Sep How To Reduce Risk of Myopia in Your Child
Many studies concerning vision around the world shows that eyesight is quickly deteriorating. Not only is it deteriorating, but it is also deteriorating at a younger age, leaving more and more children to suffer with vision issues such as lazy eye, astigmatism, and myopia. This is happening on a global scale at an alarming rate, especially in terms of myopia.
Myopia, otherwise known as nearsightedness, is causing many people (especially children) to have problems with their distant vision. This therefore affects other aspects in their lives and creates a much bigger problem than the already existing issue of poor vision. These issues include performance in school, social development, and vision in everyday scenarios.
There are many things that parents can do in order to reduce their child’s risk of myopia. Here are a couple helpful ways to do that:
Let Them Go Outside To Play
Spending more time outdoors ensures that the eye is trained to see far. This is because it is constantly being used in order to see distances and be aware of surroundings. When a child spends all their time indoors, the opposite occurs where only their near vision is necessary and their distant vision does not get exercised therefore leading to the development of Myopia.
Reduce Device Exposure
Children often get wrapped up in their devices whether it’s their cell phones, tablets, computer screens, or TV screens. This is damaging to their eye health in many ways and significantly raises their chances of developing Myopia because your child’s vision is only required for close range. Ensure that your child takes frequent breaks from using their devices and get them instead to enjoy activities that encourage use of their vision for distance.
Visit Your Optometrist
Reducing your child’s risk for Myopia is as easy as visiting your optometrist regularly. Receiving regular eye exams allows your optometrist to monitor your child’s eye development and spot potential myopia before it becomes too great of an issue. If nearsightedness is detected, your optometrist will also be able to suggest treatments such as atropine drops, glasses/ contacts, orthokeratology, or any other treatment that they see fit. These specific modalities of treatment help reduce the progression of myopia.
If you suspect nearsightedness in your child, visit Dr. D’Orio Eye Care, optometrists in North York & Toronto, to get the treatment your child needs: 416.661.5555 (North York location) or 416.656.2020 (Toronto location).
