Is My Child at Risk for Myopia?
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Is My Child At Risk for Myopia?
Myopia or near-sightedness is not only common but growing in prevalence around the world. Currently it is estimated that 25% of the world (1.5 billion people) have myopia, and that number is expected to grow to 50% by the year 2050.
When a child develops myopia it is caused by multiple factors, including genetics and environment. Studies show that children are at increased risk if they have parents that are also myopic, spend less time outdoors, have longer eyeball length (called axial length), and have more strain on their eyes while doing near work.
To reduce your child’s risk of developing myopia it is essential that you encourage outdoor play with a goal of on average 2 hours each day, and have them checked with yearly comprehensive eye exams where our doctors can assess their vision, their near focusing ability (called accommodation), and measure their axial length.
By compiling data across numerous studies around the world, the Brien Holden Vision Institute has created a calculator that can be used to predict your child’s prescription by the time they turn age 17. You can also use this calculator to see the impact that starting a myopia management program would have on your child’s adult prescription.
