What Are the Symptoms, Causes and Treatments of Myopia

Myopia, also known as short-sightedness, makes it difficult to see distant objects clearly, although nearby items remain in focus. This condition is becoming increasingly common worldwide, with approximately 30% of the global population currently affected. By 2050, this figure could rise to 50%, impacting 5 billion people. In regions such as East and Southeast Asia, up to 90% of teenagers already experience myopia. Detecting myopia early, particularly in children, is crucial. If left untreated, worsening myopia can lead to severe eye health issues later in life. Slowing myopia progression by even 1.00 D can significantly reduce the risk of future vision problems.

One effective way to manage myopia is by using myopia glasses, which are designed to correct short-sightedness. For added convenience, you can now purchase myopia glasses online, making it easier than ever to access the right eyewear. Additionally, prescription glasses online offer a tailored solution to address your specific vision needs. By recognising the early signs of myopia and taking prompt action, whether through glasses, advanced treatments, or lifestyle adjustments, you can help maintain healthier eyes for the future.

Key Takeaways

• Myopia, also called short-sightedness, affects 30% of people worldwide. If not treated, it can cause serious eye problems. Finding it early is very important.

• Signs of myopia include blurry far-away vision, squinting, and headaches. Spotting these signs early helps control the condition better.

• Spending more time outside and using screens less can reduce the chance of getting myopia, especially in kids.

• Regular eye tests are key to finding and managing myopia early. Children should have eye tests every six months, and adults every two years.

• Myopia treatments include glasses, contact lenses, and new methods like atropine eye drops and Ortho-K lenses. These can slow down its worsening.

Symptoms of Myopia

Blurry Vision When Looking at Faraway Things

A common sign of myopia is trouble seeing faraway objects clearly. You might find road signs hard to read or struggle to recognise faces from a distance. For children, this can mean difficulty seeing the board or screen in class. Blurry vision can make daily tasks harder, like moving around or doing well at school or work.

In 2020, about 30% of adults worldwide had myopia. Experts think this number could reach nearly 50% by 2050. Teenagers are at higher risk because myopia often worsens quickly during these years. Spotting blurry distance vision early is key to controlling myopia and avoiding bigger problems later.

Squinting and Tired Eyes

Squinting is another clear sign of myopia. You might squint to see faraway things better, which can help for a short time. But squinting too much can make your eyes feel tired and sore. Studies show that untreated vision problems like myopia often cause squinting and eye strain.

Children who squint may be having trouble seeing clearly. They might also hold books or screens very close to their face. These habits could mean they need an eye test to check for myopia. Fixing these issues early can ease strain and keep eyes healthier.

Headaches from Tired Eyes

People with myopia often get headaches. These headaches happen because their eyes work too hard to focus on faraway things. This is called eye fatigue or asthenopia. Research shows a strong link between eye fatigue and myopia, especially in people using glasses. Special lenses, like DIMS lenses, can cut eye fatigue by up to 26% in teens and 18% in adults. Less fatigue means fewer headaches too.

If you often get headaches after trying to focus on faraway things, see an eye doctor. Finding and fixing the problem can help you feel better and improve your daily life.

Signs of Myopia in Children (e.g., sitting close to screens or holding books too close)

Spotting myopia in children early is very important. Kids often cannot explain their vision issues, so watch their actions carefully. Certain habits can show they are having trouble with their eyesight.

A common sign is sitting very close to screens like TVs or tablets. Kids who hold books or reading materials very near their faces might also have myopia. They do this because seeing faraway things is hard for them.

Tip: Teach your child to keep at least 30 centimetres away from screens and books. Taking breaks from close-up work can also ease eye strain.

Too much screen time is another warning sign. Research shows kids using screens over three hours daily are nearly four times more likely to get myopia than those using screens less than an hour. Starting screen use before age three raises the risk of myopia by preschool age.

Children with myopia may also face problems at school. They might struggle to see the board or read distant text. This can cause frustration, poor grades, and less interest in learning. If you notice these signs, book an eye test for your child. Finding myopia early means treatment can start quickly, slowing its progress and helping their vision.

By acting early and addressing these signs, you can protect your child’s eyesight and lower the chance of future problems.

Causes of Myopia

Family History and Genetics

Your family’s eye health affects your chance of getting myopia. If one or both parents have myopia, you are more likely to have it too. Research shows genetics play a big role in myopia. For example:

• Myopia often appears in families, as shown by family studies.

• Scientists have found certain genes linked to myopia and vision problems.

• Education levels may change how genetics affect vision issues.

The Handan Offspring Myopia Study supports this link. It found children’s eyesight was similar to their parents’ by age 14. By age 18, only small changes were seen between generations. This shows why knowing your family’s eye history is important.

Environmental Factors

Things around you, like screen time and close-up work, can worsen myopia. Close-up work includes reading, writing, or using computers. Studies show people with myopia often do more close-up tasks than those without it. Using computers a lot is also linked to higher myopia rates.

Looking at screens for too long can tire your eyes. Focusing on close things for hours adds strain. Research links myopia to more screen use, though the exact reason is unclear. Taking breaks and limiting screen time can lower your risk of myopia.

Lifestyle Choices

How you live, especially time spent outdoors, affects your myopia risk. Less outdoor time is linked to more myopia, especially in older kids. A study review found being outside more often lowers the chance of getting myopia.

Encourage outdoor play, especially in daylight, to protect your eyes. Being outside eases strain from close-up work and helps your eyes grow healthily.

Diagnosis of Myopia

Full Eye Check-ups

A full eye check-up is the first step to find myopia. The optometrist checks your eye health and how well you see. They might measure the length of your eye to check myopia risks. Tests are done to see how both eyes work together. The optometrist also looks at the front and back parts of your eye for any problems.

Knowing your family’s eye history helps in planning treatment. The optometrist may ask when your myopia started and if it has worsened. They might also ask about your daily habits, like outdoor time or close-up work. These steps follow advice from the International Myopia Institute, which supports personalised care for managing myopia.

Vision Tests to Check Eye Focus

Vision tests are key to finding how much your eyes bend light. These tests show how bad your myopia is. Experts say using proper methods during these tests gives better results. For example, testing in dim light can find night myopia, where vision gets worse in low light. Accurate results help in choosing the right glasses or lenses for treatment.

Spotting Myopia in Kids Early

Finding myopia early in kids stops bigger problems later. Regular eye checks can catch issues before they get worse. Tests like UDVA (Uncorrected Distance Visual Acuity) should be done every six months to spot early signs. Autorefraction with auto-keratometry finds kids at high risk, while eye length checks track fast growth.

If your child struggles to see faraway things or holds books too close, book an eye test quickly. Acting early can slow myopia and keep their vision safe.

Treatment Options for Myopia

Glasses and Contact Lenses for Myopia

Glasses and contact lenses are common ways to treat myopia. They help you see faraway things clearly by changing how light enters your eyes. Glasses are simple and easy to use, making them a popular choice. Contact lenses are less noticeable and great for active people.

Special lenses can also slow down myopia. Studies show:

If you need glasses or lenses, Phifinery has many options. Their online shop makes it easy to find the right eyewear for your needs.

Ortho-K Lenses for Night-Time Use

Ortho-K lenses are special hard lenses worn at night. They gently reshape your cornea while you sleep. This lets you see clearly during the day without glasses or lenses.

Studies show Ortho-K can slow myopia in kids:

Ortho-K is great for kids and teens as it slows myopia during growth years. It’s a non-invasive way to manage myopia and fits easily into daily life.

Laser Eye Surgery (e.g., LASIK, PRK)

Laser surgery is a permanent fix for myopia. Procedures like LASIK and PRK use lasers to reshape the cornea. This improves how light focuses on the retina, helping you see better. It’s ideal for those who want to stop using glasses or lenses.

Success rates for laser surgery are high:

Laser surgery offers a lasting solution for myopia. Talk to an eye doctor to see if it’s right for you. Phifinery’s experts can guide you through the process and help you decide on this advanced treatment.

Emerging Treatments (e.g., atropine eye drops, myopia control lenses)

New treatments for myopia are helping to slow its worsening. These methods include medicines and lifestyle changes to manage your eyesight better.

Atropine Eye Drops

Atropine eye drops are becoming a popular way to control myopia. They relax the eye muscles, easing strain and slowing eyeball growth. This growth is a main cause of myopia getting worse. Studies show low-dose atropine, like 0.01%, can slow eye growth more than fake treatments.

• Key Findings:

  • Eye growth slowed by −0.07 mm (p = 0.009).

  • No big change in vision strength (+0.10 D, p = 0.07).

  • Works better for people with light-coloured eyes and white ethnicity.

The MOSAIC study shows atropine drops are well-tolerated. Most people feel only mild discomfort. This makes them good for long-term use. Adding habits like less screen time and more outdoor play can make them work even better.

Tip: Talk to an eye doctor before using atropine drops. They can help find the right dose and track your progress.

Myopia Control Lenses

Special lenses can slow myopia while helping you see clearly. These lenses change how light enters your eyes, reducing strain from close-up tasks.

• Types of Myopia Control Lenses:

  • Multifocal Contact Lenses: These have zones for near and far vision, helping kids and teens.

  • DIMS Lenses: These lenses are very effective for slowing myopia, especially in younger users.

  • Custom Soft Lenses: Made for kids aged 7–15, they offer tailored solutions for managing myopia.

Studies show these lenses are safe for kids over six years old. They improve vision and reduce tired eyes, making them great for students and active kids.

Note: Visit your optometrist regularly to check if the lenses are working well and adjust them if needed.

New treatments like atropine drops and special lenses give hope for slowing myopia. Pairing these with healthy habits can protect your eyesight and keep your eyes healthy.

Prevention and Management of Myopia

Spend More Time Outdoors

Being outside often can lower the chance of getting myopia. Research shows kids who spend 13 hours weekly outdoors are less likely to develop it. Sunlight helps eyes grow properly, reducing the risk of myopia. Schools adding 66.7 minutes of outdoor play daily saw fewer cases of myopia (30.4%) compared to schools without extra outdoor time (39.5%).

A review of 25 studies also showed outdoor time protects against myopia. Kids who played outside more had a lower risk of getting it. Aim for two hours of outdoor activities daily to protect your eyes. Playing sports or walking in daylight can really help.

Reduce Screen Time and Close-Up Work

Too much screen use or close-up tasks like reading can worsen myopia. Studies link long screen time to faster myopia growth, especially in kids. Keep screens at a safe distance and take breaks to avoid eye strain. In China, schools suggest cutting screen time and ensuring kids spend two hours outside daily to balance less outdoor play.

Parents can teach the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This habit reduces strain from close-up work. Sitting properly and using good lighting while reading or writing also helps protect your eyes.

Get Regular Eye Check-Ups

Eye tests are key to spotting myopia early. Many eye problems, including myopia, start without clear signs. Full eye exams can catch issues early, so they don’t get worse. For kids, early detection means starting treatments to slow myopia.

Eye tests also teach parents about myopia signs and how to manage it. They check overall eye health and can even find other health problems like diabetes. Regular check-ups every six months help track changes in vision and fix problems quickly.

Tip: Make eye tests a habit to keep your vision clear and avoid future issues.

Myopia Control Strategies for Children

Helping children manage myopia needs a mix of methods. Acting early can slow its worsening and keep their vision safe. Here are some helpful ways to manage it:

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): These lenses are worn at night to reshape the cornea. This lets kids see clearly during the day. Studies show Ortho-K with low-dose atropine (LDA) slows eye growth by -0.12 mm. It is one of the best ways to control myopia.

• Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine is a well-studied treatment. It relaxes eye muscles and slows eyeball growth, which worsens myopia. While it works well, more studies are needed to check long-term effects.

• Multifocal Soft Contact Lenses: These lenses have zones to improve vision and reduce strain. They work well for kids aged 7–15 years. Research shows they can slow myopia if used regularly.

Tip: Make sure your child sticks to their treatment plan. Following it daily is key to success.

Good daily habits also help. Outdoor play is great because sunlight supports healthy eyes. Limit screen time and remind your child to take breaks from close-up work. The 20-20-20 rule is easy and helps reduce eye strain.

Using these methods together can slow myopia in children. Regular eye tests will check if treatments are working and adjust them as needed.

Myopia, also called short-sightedness, can impact daily life if ignored. Finding it early is key to managing the condition. Research shows acting quickly lowers risks of serious problems like retinal detachment or glaucoma. These issues often happen when myopia worsens. Spotting symptoms early and learning about treatments can help. Regular eye tests and spending more time outside can slow myopia. Visiting an eye doctor gives you tailored advice and proper care for your eyes.

FAQ

What causes myopia?

Myopia happens due to both genes and surroundings. If your parents have myopia, you are more likely to get it too. Doing too much close-up work, like reading or using screens, can also raise the chance of developing it.

Can myopia be cured forever?

There is no permanent cure for myopia yet. Glasses, contact lenses, and laser surgery can improve vision. New treatments, like atropine eye drops, aim to slow myopia instead of curing it completely.

How can myopia in children be stopped?

Get kids to play outside and reduce screen time. Teach them the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Regular eye tests can find and treat myopia early.

Tip: Playing outside in sunlight is one of the best ways to lower the risk of myopia in kids.

Is laser surgery safe for myopia?

Laser surgery, such as LASIK, is usually safe and works well for fixing myopia. But it is not right for everyone. Talk to an eye doctor to see if it is a good option for you.

How often should eyes be checked?

Adults should have an eye test every two years. Kids and people with a family history of myopia might need check-ups every six months to keep track of their vision.

Note: Regular eye tests are very important to catch and manage myopia early.