Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, has been growing more prevalent in recent years. This is especially the case for children; recent studies have found that a third of children around the world are myopic. What’s worse, unaddressed myopia can easily grow worse over time. Fortunately, there are ways to slow down the progression of this condition. Below are 5 simple steps that can help keep your child’s myopia under control.
1. Have Your Child Spend More Time Outside
Regular exposure to natural light is essential for the development of your child’s eyes. It has been found that sunlight can encourage the release of dopamine in the eyes, which can help prevent excessive eye growth. This is essential because myopia is the result of an eyeball that has grown too long. Thus, by having your child play outside for at least 90 minutes every day, you can increase their exposure to sunlight and ultimately slow down their myopia progression.
2. Teach Your Children to Take Screen Breaks
Excessive screen time is a major risk factor for the progression of nearsightedness. As such, it’s important to teach your child to take regular breaks from staring at their phone, their tablet, or any other kind of electronic screen. You should have them follow the 20-20-20 rule; for every 20 minutes of screen time, they should look at an object 20 feet away for about 20 seconds.
3. Help Them Practice Good Reading Habits
Reading is an example of near-work that can lead to eye strain, which in turn can potentially contribute to the progression of myopia. Thus, as a parent, you should make sure that your child is practicing good reading habits. Teach them to keep their reading material at least 14 to 16 inches from their eyes, and encourage them to read in well-lit areas; this will go a long way toward reducing eye strain.
4. Feed Them More Foods That Are Good for the Eyes
Eating certain kinds of foods can promote the health of the eyes and potentially slow down myopia progression. Make sure that your child is getting plenty of leafy greens, colorful fruits, and omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. You should also make a point of giving them foods that are high in vitamins A, C, and E.
5. Bring Your Child to the Optometrist
Naturally, one of the most important steps for managing your child’s myopia is to bring them to see their optometrist at least once a year. Routine exams are essential for identifying changes in your child’s vision so that they can be addressed properly. Moreover, your optometrist can offer multiple ways to control your child’s nearsightedness. For example, they may recommend specialty orthokeratology lenses, which can improve your child’s vision during the day by temporarily reshaping their cornea.
By paying close attention to your child’s everyday habits and taking the right precautions, you can slow down their myopia and help them enjoy better vision as they continue to grow.
About the Author
Dr. Nayiri Ajoian graduated from the New England College of Optometry in Boston. She has been trained in pediatrics, and she is certified in orthokeratology lenses. As an optometrist, she is happy to work with both children and adults, and she offers various treatments for controlling myopia. If you’re worried that your child has become nearsighted, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Ajoian at EyeSmile Dentistry and Optometry of Belmont by visiting her website or calling (617) 484-7869.