Nearsightedness (myopia) is the inability to see objects clearly
at a distance. Some children are born with a progressive form of
nearsightedness, meaning that their uncorrected eyesight will
worsen overtime. Glasses usually help children see normally, but do
not eliminate the myopia.
What causes nearsightedness?
In people who are
nearsighted, the eyeball is slightly longer than usual from front
to back. Light rays which make up the images you see, focus in
front of, rather than directly on the retina, the light-sensitive
part of the eye. When this happens, objects at a distance seem
blurry and unclear.
Progressive nearsightedness is predominantly caused by genetics
(children inherit a tendency to develop the condition from their
parents). The manner in which a person uses their eyes may also
have an influence on the progression of myopia. Recent studies link
nearsightedness with performing detailed or up-close vision work,
like reading too close to a book.
How do I know if my child is
nearsighted?
Nearsightedness may be accompanied by
headaches, eyestrain, and fatigue when having to focus on something
more than a few feet away. If your child complains of any of these
symptoms, get his or her eyes checked by an eye doctor. Most often
children will only complain of difficulties seeing things far away
and have to get close to them to see clearly.
In addition, make sure your child is examined in the first year
of life, at age three, and every two years afterwards, especially
if there is a family history of progressive nearsightedness or
other eye conditions.
How is nearsightedness treated in children?
It is
still controversial whether progressive nearsightedness in children
can be slowed down. Some recent studies suggest that the use of
atropine combined with bifocals slows the progression of
myopia.
Children can start wearing contact lenses when they are
physically mature enough to take care of them. Depending on how
involved the parents are in caring for the contacts. Pediatric
ophthalmologists rarely recommend contact lenses before a child
enters his or her teens.
Talk to your child's eye doctor to find if contacts can help
your child.
Can nearsightedness be prevented?
Since
nearsightedness is inherited, it is not possible to totally prevent
its occurrence. However, there are steps you can take to minimize
its effect. Make sure your child is examined early, especially if
there is a family history of progressive nearsightedness or other
eye conditions. If it is uncomfortable to do work or watch
television from a standard distance, your child may already be
developing nearsightedness and needs an examination.