Why Myopia Matters
Childhood myopia rates are increasing, with 1 in 3 children now affected.
Multiple studies show myopia becoming much more common in children, showing up at earlier ages and progressing more rapidly. Many researchers believe reduced outdoor time and increased screen time on devices are part of the problem. Myopia often leads to struggles in school and activities for your child due to poor vision, as well as increased eye disease risks.
Myopia significantly increases your child’s risk for serious eye diseases in their lifetime
Glasses only compensate for your child’s blurry distance vision, they don’t stop their vision from continuing to deteriorate.
Higher levels of myopia significantly increase your child’s risks for serious eye diseases, like retinal disease and glaucoma. Early intervention is key to slow or even stop the progression of myopia in your child.
Dr. Kevin Chan, OD, FAAO talks about the importance of treating myopia in children early
The higher the myopia, the greater the risks of serious eye diseases.
This chart shows the increased risks of various eye diseases with myopia vs. no myopia.
| EYE DISEASE | -2.00D | -4.00D | -6.00D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myopic Maculopathy1 | 2.2x | 9.7x | 40.6x |
| Retinal Detachment2 | 3.1x | 9.0x | 21.5x |
| Glaucoma1 | 2.3x | 3.3x | 3.3x |
1 Blue Mountain Eye Study, Vongphanit et al., 2002
2 Ogawa & Tanaka, 1988
What Is Myopia
Myopia is the inability to see things clearly unless they’re relatively close to your eyes. Also called nearsightedness or shortsightedness, myopia is the most common vision issue among children and young adults. Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light to come to a focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Myopia typically starts during childhood and, unless treated, usually progresses rapidly. Early intervention with myopia treatment can slow, or even stop, the progression of your child’s myopia.