Short-sightedness among children increasing

Henriette Lamprecht – Although short-sightedness or myopia (being able to see close but not far) is not normal in children, it is becoming increasingly more common, even reaching epidemic proportions in countries like China.

The onset of myopia is the most important risk factor, says Simone Klose, optometrist at Olympia Optics. The younger the child, the higher the risk.

“It is very unlikely that a child can grow out of myopia. It is therefore important that any myopia in children is being optimally treated to avoid unnecessary progression.”

According to Simone, 30% of myopia is due to genetics i.e. the way you were born; parents who are short-sighted, while 70% is due to epigenetics, a predisposition that may lead to disease with lifestyle behaviour.

“Behaviour modification is therefore essential. This includes avoiding a reading distance closer than normal arm’s length, exposure to digital screens and unusually long periods of near exposure (reading). Daily outdoor exposure, around two hours daily, is known to be protective,” explains Simone.

She emphasises it is important to have a child’s vision be screened by an optometrist from a young age.

“Difficulty seeing on the board at school may lead to copying errors or slow performance. Your child might be choosing to sit closer to the TV if they are short-sighted.”

Simone warns most children are unfortunately not symptomatic and it is therefore not easy to pick up low myopia at a young age.“Early detection is crucial to optimise control.”

According to her the theory behind myopia progression is not yet fully understood.

“There is evidence that hyperopic peripheral defocus is a driver in stimulation eye growth. Increased eye growth (or axial length) is the primary reason why a child is getting more myopic. Avoiding hyperopic peripheral defocus by prescribing multifocal contact lenses or orthokeratology (a corneal reshaping lens) avoids this.”

Today optical devices (not just single vision spectacles that correct myopia) but multifocal contact lens or spectacles as well as eye drops that control myopia progression can be prescribed.

The type of treatment is determined by the amount of myopia and lifestyle of the child, with treatment types occasionally even combined for better control.

According to Simone, it is important to note the difference between myopia correction and myopia control.

“Standard myopia correction is not sufficient in avoiding progression.”

According to the American Optometric Association, the extent to which a child is at risk for the development of eye and vision problems determines the appropriate re-evaluation schedule. Children with ocular signs and symptoms require a prompt, comprehensive examination, while the presence of certain risk factors may necessitate more frequent examinations based on professional judgment.

Factors placing an infant, toddler or child at significant risk for eye and vision problems include, amongst others, prematurity, family history of myopia, infection of mother during pregnancy (e.g., rubella, toxoplasmosis, venereal disease, herpes, cytomegalovirus or human immunodeficiency virus), as well as maternal smoking or use of alcohol or illicit drug use during pregnancy.

Kassie:

Signs that a child may have vision problems include:

• Being unable to see distant objects

• Trouble reading the blackboard

• Sitting too close to the TV

• Frequent squinting or head tilt

• Difficulty reading/ holding books close to the face

• Recurrent headaches

• Closing one eye to see better

• Poor visual tracking (following an object)

• Constant rubbing of the eyes

• Extreme light sensitivity

• Chronic tearing or redness of the eyes

• A white pupil instead of black

*klose@[email protected]; www.olympiaoptics.com