Myopia Control
Myopia (near-sightedness) is affecting more and more children around the world — it is reaching unprecedented levels and has been recognised by the World Health Organisation as a looming public health problem. The rates in the Europe, America and Australasia have doubled over the past 2 decades. More worryingly, in East Asian countries, over 90% of 18-year-olds are myopic.
Understandably, parents and Optometrists are concerned.
There is now a wealth of scientific research and proven studies that show the progression of myopia can be slowed significantly. We refer to these methods as Myopia Control methods.
Signs that your child may be near-sighted can include:
- Needing to sit near the front of the class at school because they find it difficult to read the whiteboard
- Sitting close to the TV
- Complaining of headaches or tired eyes after watching TV or performing distance tasks.
- Squinting (narrowing the eyelids) when looking at a distant object
- No signs: many young children do not realise that their vision is not supposed to be blurry and do not complain.
Myopia poses many dangers. For children, the leading problem is a difficulty when looking at the board at school and being able to keep up with schoolwork. However, the biggest risk comes much later. Adults who are myopic have a significantly greater risk of blindness. Especially those who have high myopia, where an individual is over 20 times more likely to have a sight-threatening disease compared to a person who is not myopic
Elizma, Belia and Vanessa are students of the Myopia Profile Academy and do regular courses to stay updated with the newest research and developments in Myopia Control. Myopia Profile Academy has launched a website for parents https://www.mykidsvision.org/en-us with a free risk assessing tool.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our Myopia Control Optometrists.