Junge bei der Augenvermessung und Aussenansicht von Sanoculus Roseneck
Junge bei der Sehanalyse lächelt in die Kamera

Myopia – stop myopia in children

Caring for children’s eyes, seeing adults well

Table of contents

Myopia is the clinical term for myopia. Children affected by myopia have difficulty seeing clearly in the distance, while close objects can be seen more clearly. Typical signs can be that children sit close to the TV or cannot see the blackboard at school well. Other symptoms include excessive blinking, squinting of the eyes, headaches or frequent rubbing of the eyes.

Due to the natural growth of the eyes, myopia can develop over the years. High myopia can be a risk factor for various eye diseases such as myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinal detachment. Early treatment of myopia can slow its progression and significantly reduce the risk of future eye diseases.

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Countering myopia early enough

Preventing myopia

Genetic factors play an important role in prevention. Children are at a higher risk of becoming nearsighted if one or both parents are also nearsighted. Outdoor activities and less screen time can reduce the risk of myopia. It is advisable for children to spend at least 1.5 hours outside a day

in daylight and reduce time with digital devices such as tablets, smartphones and game consoles. Even though smartphones are almost indispensable these days, care should be taken to maintain an appropriate distance of about 30-40 cm and to provide adequate lighting. Wearing a suitable visual aid in full correction is essential.

Treatment options:
Myopia in children

Modern medicine offers several ways to slow down the progression of myopia. Studies have shown that a low dosage of atropine drops (concentration 0.01 percent) is effective. This treatment is typically used between the ages of 6 and 15 and continues depending on the findings. Although the use of atropine drops is off-label in Germany, this therapy is recognized and widely used.

Patientin beim Augenarzt während einer Augenuntersuchung
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Special contact lenses
can help

Special contact lenses such as orthokeratological lenses (night lenses/Ortho-K) or soft myopia lenses also have positive effects on myopia. The optical design of these lenses affects the accommodation behavior of children, which means the dynamic adaptation of the eye to different distances and blurring. These lenses change the peripheral relative hyperopic defocus to myopic defocus in order to limit the length growth of the eye. The special design of the lenses has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on the progression of myopia.

Ortho-keratology lenses are worn overnight and can temporarily reduce myopia, eliminating the need for visual aids during the day. Soft myopia contact lenses, on the other hand, are worn during the day, either as daily lenses or monthly lenses. For those who do not want to wear contact lenses, special myopia lenses are also available, which work with peripheral defocus. The best results in myopia management are achieved when different therapies are combined . For example, atropine drops are often arranged together with contact lenses to achieve the best possible effect.

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Frequently asked questions about myopia in children

Myopia, also known as myopia, is the most common form of refractive error in the eyes. In nearsightedness, vision in the distance is blurred and blurry, while objects up close are clearly visible . The main cause of myopia is usually an eye that has grown too long. A longer eyeball increases the risk of various eye diseases such as myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma (glaucoma), cataracts (cataracts) and retinal detachment.

The risk of developing myopia increases if one or both parents are also nearsighted. In addition to genetic factors, environmental influences also have an influence on the development of myopia. It is known that at least 2 hours of outdoor activities, especially in daylight, are essential for the healthy development of the eyes. Excessive close-up vision, such as digital devices such as smartphones, tablets and television, can promote eye growth and should therefore be limited.

There are various therapeutic approaches to slow down the progression of myopia. One possibility is the use of atropine drops in a concentration of 0.01% at night. These inhibit accommodation and are often used in children aged 6-15 years. Another option is ortho-keratology lenses, which are worn overnight and temporarily change the cornea so that no visual aid is needed during the day. Soft contact lenses, available as both monthly and daily lenses, can also slow down the progression of myopia. Alternatively, special lenses are available that allow for sharp vision and correct myopic defocus, for those who do not want to wear contact lenses.

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