{"product_id":"childhood-myopia-nearsightedness-a-complete-guide-to-the-global-epidemic-its-risks-and-proven-treatments","title":"Childhood Myopia (Nearsightedness): A Complete Guide to the Global Epidemic, Its Risks, and Proven Treatments","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSummary:\u003c\/strong\u003e This article translates a 2020 French medical review on childhood myopia (nearsightedness) into patient-friendly language. The review, written by Dr. Dominique Bremond-Gignac and published in the journal \u003cem\u003emédecine\/sciences\u003c\/em\u003e, describes myopia as a global epidemic affecting nearly 23% of the world population in 2000, with projections reaching about 50% by 2050. It explains that myopia is far more than a glasses prescription — it carries serious risks of retinal detachment, glaucoma, early cataracts, and even blindness — and reviews proven strategies to slow its progression, including outdoor time, defocus lenses, orthokeratology, and low-dose atropine eye drops, which can reduce progression by approximately 50%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch1\u003eChildhood Myopia (Nearsightedness): A Complete Guide to the Global Epidemic, Its Risks, and Proven Treatments\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#ddn-key-points\"\u003eKey Points\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#introduction\"\u003eIntroduction: Why This Research Matters\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#epidemiology\"\u003eEpidemiology: A Worldwide Epidemic\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#pathophysiology\"\u003eWhat Causes Myopia? The Science Behind the Condition\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#clinical-presentation\"\u003eClinical Presentation and Complications\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#diagnosis\"\u003eHow Myopia Is Diagnosed in Children\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#genetics\"\u003eThe Genetics of Myopia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#syndromic\"\u003eSyndromic Myopia: When Myopia Signals a Broader Condition\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#control\"\u003eMyopia Control: Strategies to Slow Progression\u003c\/a\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#outdoor\"\u003eOutdoor Time\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#glasses\"\u003eSpecial Glasses: Bifocal, Progressive, and Defocus Lenses\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#contact-lenses\"\u003eDefocus Contact Lenses\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#orthokeratology\"\u003eOrthokeratology (Night-Time Corneal Molding)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#atropine\"\u003eAtropine Eye Drops\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#scleral\"\u003eScleral Reinforcement Surgery\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#ddn-faq\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- ddn:keypoints:start --\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"ddn-key-points\"\u003eKey Points\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbout 23% of the world was myopic in 2000; projections suggest nearly 50% by 2050.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh myopia can cause retinal detachment, glaucoma, early cataracts, and abnormal vessel growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn children, progression is at least -0.5 diopters per year; early detection is essential.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutdoor time, defocus lenses, orthokeratology, and low-dose atropine can slow progression by about 50%.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSome cases of myopia are syndromic, like Stickler or Marfan syndrome, needing systemic workup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- ddn:keypoints:end --\u003e\n\n  \u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#implications\"\u003eClinical Implications: What These Findings Mean for Patients\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#limitations\"\u003eLimitations of This Review\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#recommendations\"\u003eRecommendations for Parents and Patients\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#source\"\u003eSource Information\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"introduction\"\u003eIntroduction: Why This Research Matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMyopia — commonly called nearsightedness — is a refractive error of the eye that has become a worldwide public health concern. The condition gets its name from the Greek words meaning \"I close the eye,\" which describes the squinting behavior people with myopia often use to see distant objects more clearly. Far from being a simple inconvenience, myopia is now described by experts as a \"global myopia epidemic.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe word \"myopia\" describes an eye that is too long from front to back (increased axial length). Instead of focusing light precisely on the retina at the back of the eye, the image forms \u003cem\u003ein front\u003c\/em\u003e of the retina, making distant objects look blurry. But myopia is not just about blurry distance vision. It also carries the risk of potentially blinding complications later in life, including retinal detachment, abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina (retinal neovessels), early cataracts, and glaucoma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong children younger than 6 years old, about \u003cstrong\u003e20% have visual anomalies\u003c\/strong\u003e. The most common are refractive errors like myopia, followed by strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye). This makes early detection critically important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe good news, as this review explains, is that progressive myopia can now be slowed. The most promising strategies include spending more time outdoors, wearing special defocus-correcting glasses or contact lenses, orthokeratology (night-time corneal reshaping), and treatment with low-dose atropine eye drops. The goal is to limit excessive eyeball growth and reduce the risk of sight-threatening complications in adulthood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"epidemiology\"\u003eEpidemiology: A Worldwide Epidemic\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe scale of the myopia problem is staggering. In the year 2000, a child somewhere in the world became blind every single minute — that equals \u003cstrong\u003e1.4 million blind children\u003c\/strong\u003e globally. Myopia has become the most widespread visual disorder on the planet, and its prevalence is rising sharply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe rise was first noticed in Asian countries, but it has now spread worldwide. According to projections by Holden and colleagues, \u003cstrong\u003enearly 50% of the world's population will be myopic by 2050\u003c\/strong\u003e. In some Asian countries, such as Singapore and Taiwan, myopia already affects up to \u003cstrong\u003e85% to 90% of young adults\u003c\/strong\u003e. In the United States and Europe, between 25% and 50% of older adults are myopic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLet's look at the raw numbers from the Holden study:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn 2000:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 1,406 million people (1.4 billion) were myopic — that's \u003cstrong\u003e23% of the world population\u003c\/strong\u003e. Of these, about 163 million had high myopia (requiring a correction stronger than −5 diopters [D]), representing \u003cstrong\u003e2.7% of the population\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProjected for 2050:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 4,758 million people (4.8 billion) will be myopic — \u003cstrong\u003e49.8% of the world population\u003c\/strong\u003e. High myopia is expected to affect 938 million people, or \u003cstrong\u003e9.8% of the population\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis increase in high myopia matters because it is directly linked to serious eye complications. These complications are the main causes of low vision and blindness associated with myopia. In Western countries, where populations are aging, myopia could also reduce life expectancy and increase early loss of independence in older adults.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe economic burden is enormous. The global socio-economic cost of myopia has been estimated at \u003cstrong\u003e268 billion US dollars per year\u003c\/strong\u003e. This reinforces why myopia must be treated as a global public health priority, not just an optical inconvenience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"pathophysiology\"\u003eWhat Causes Myopia? The Science Behind the Condition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMyopia develops through a complex interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental exposure. During visual development, several factors can push the eye toward becoming myopic. The genetics are multifactorial, meaning many different genes contribute, and environmental triggers determine whether those genetic tendencies are expressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne key concept is \u003cstrong\u003evisual deprivation\u003c\/strong\u003e. When the eye experiences a certain type of blurry vision — for example, from uncorrected myopia — it responds by growing longer. This process, called \u003cem\u003emyopization\u003c\/em\u003e, is the eye's attempt to compensate, but it actually makes the myopia worse. In a myopic eye, the focal point for central vision (at the macula) falls in front of the retina because the eyeball is too long. Meanwhile, in the peripheral retina, the focal point falls \u003cem\u003ebehind\u003c\/em\u003e the retina — a situation called \u003cstrong\u003eperipheral hypermetropic defocus\u003c\/strong\u003e — which further stimulates axial elongation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnother important environmental factor is \u003cstrong\u003elight exposure\u003c\/strong\u003e. Studies suggest that light stimulation, which varies by wavelength, triggers the release of \u003cstrong\u003edopamine\u003c\/strong\u003e in the retina. Dopamine and dopaminergic agonists appear to inhibit the excessive elongation of the eye. This may explain why spending time outdoors in bright light protects against myopia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNear work also plays a role. Studies show that students have a higher prevalence of myopia, and experimental research has found that animals fitted with concave lenses — which simulate near work — develop myopia. It seems likely that the increase in near-vision activities in modern life has contributed to the global rise in myopia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is an ongoing controversy about the type of light children are exposed to, particularly blue light versus violet light. Research in primates has shown that defocus at the peripheral retina induces axial myopia, while foveal (central) vision does not influence the process of \u003cem\u003eemmetropization\u003c\/em\u003e — the natural growth process that normally balances the eye's focusing power with its length, which begins at birth. Recent electrophysiological studies in humans have also shown that the retina itself contributes to decoding defocused images through changes in the signaling of retinal ganglion cells, the nerve cells that carry visual information from the retina to the brain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"clinical-presentation\"\u003eClinical Presentation and Complications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond needing glasses, myopia can lead to severe complications — some of which can cause blindness. This is why preventing myopia progression in childhood is so important: it prevents visual disability in adulthood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn children, the onset of myopia is defined as a refraction greater than \u003cstrong\u003e−0.5 diopters\u003c\/strong\u003e combined with an increase in axial length. Myopia is considered \u003cstrong\u003eprogressive\u003c\/strong\u003e when it increases by \u003cstrong\u003e−0.5 diopters per year\u003c\/strong\u003e or more. Identifying this early is the key to starting treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe main complications of myopia, which become more frequent as the myopia becomes more severe, include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRetinal detachment\u003c\/strong\u003e — the retina peels away from its underlying support tissue\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMyopic chorioretinal degeneration\u003c\/strong\u003e — thinning and deterioration of the retina and the choroid layer beneath it\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubretinal neovascular complications\u003c\/strong\u003e — abnormal blood vessels growing under the retina\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEarly-onset cataracts\u003c\/strong\u003e — clouding of the eye's natural lens at a younger age than usual\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlaucoma\u003c\/strong\u003e — damage to the optic nerve, often linked to elevated eye pressure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese complications are a direct consequence of the eyeball becoming too long. The stretched tissues of the eye become fragile and prone to damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe review also warns that \u003cstrong\u003eunder-correction should never be recommended\u003c\/strong\u003e. Data from prospective clinical trials suggest that under-correcting myopia either increases the rate of progression or has no effect at all. Children should always receive their full, accurate prescription.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDoctors must also rule out \u003cstrong\u003econgenital glaucoma\u003c\/strong\u003e when examining a myopic child, especially when the myopia is \u003cstrong\u003eunilateral\u003c\/strong\u003e (affecting only one eye), because glaucoma initially causes the eyeball to elongate alongside rising intraocular pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"diagnosis\"\u003eHow Myopia Is Diagnosed in Children\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChildren's vision develops in stages, and screening follows the recommendations of the French health record (\u003cem\u003ecarnet de santé\u003c\/em\u003e). If any anomaly is found, a complete ophthalmologic examination is performed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the age at which a child can speak, visual acuity can be measured for both near and far distances using directional tests, drawings, and\/or letters. If needed, an object-matching method is used. This helps detect a possible refractive error.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA full eye exam with \u003cstrong\u003erefraction under cycloplegia\u003c\/strong\u003e is essential. Cycloplegia involves using eye drops that temporarily paralyze the internal and external muscles of the eye (the focusing muscles). This is the only reliable way to measure a child's true refractive error, because it prevents the child's natural focusing ability from masking the real prescription.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOptical biometry — a painless measurement of the eye's axial length — is also important for the initial assessment and for tracking myopia progression over time. In older children, measuring visual acuity is the cornerstone for detecting refractive errors such as myopia. Refractive screening is becoming increasingly important given the rising prevalence of myopia in Europe. If certain conditions are suspected, electrophysiological tests can complete the workup and help diagnose retinal dystrophies (inherited retinal diseases) or problems with the transmission of visual signals through the visual pathways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"genetics\"\u003eThe Genetics of Myopia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMyopia has multiple causes that are still incompletely understood, but the genetic component is well proven. In families with high myopia, specific genetic regions have been identified, including \u003cstrong\u003e18p11.31, 12q21-31, and 7q36\u003c\/strong\u003e. Some populations, particularly Asian populations, naturally have eyes that are more prone to myopia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLarge-scale genetic studies called GWAS (genome-wide association studies) have attempted to identify the specific genes linked to myopia risk. To date, \u003cstrong\u003enearly 200 genes\u003c\/strong\u003e appear to be associated with myopia, either individually or in combination. However, genetics alone does not tell the whole story — the interaction with environmental factors like near work and outdoor time is what ultimately determines whether a child becomes myopic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"syndromic\"\u003eSyndromic Myopia: When Myopia Signals a Broader Condition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn some children, myopia is not an isolated finding but a sign of an underlying genetic syndrome. When a child has high myopia or rapidly progressing myopia, a thorough pediatric and systemic workup is crucial to identify associated pathologies and reach a syndromic diagnosis. This includes careful clinical phenotyping (documenting all physical features) and, when indicated, targeted genetic testing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMany of these syndromes have a genetic (Mendelian) inheritance pattern with identified responsible genes. Flitcroft and colleagues analyzed the OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man) database to catalog the genes involved in syndromic forms of myopia and the associated signaling pathways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe table below summarizes the most common syndromic myopias, their clinical features, and the genes involved. This is not exhaustive, but it serves as a diagnostic aid when myopia is found alongside other clinical signs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"6\" cellspacing=\"0\"\u003e\n  \u003ccaption\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable I. The most frequent syndromic myopias and their main associated genes.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/caption\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003cth\u003eSyndrome\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003cth\u003eClinical Features\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003cth\u003eGenes\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStickler syndrome\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eCongenital high myopia, vitreoretinopathy (abnormalities of the vitreous gel and retina), retinal detachment, facial dysmorphia, deafness, hypermobile joints\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eCOL2A1, COL11A1, COL11A2, COL9A1, COL9A2, COL9A3\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWagner syndrome and vitreoretinopathies\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eMyopia, vitreoretinopathy with optically empty vitreous, early cataract, night blindness, progressive chorioretinal atrophy, retinal detachment, no systemic anomalies\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eVCAN\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOther vitreoretinopathies\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eProgressive myopia, variable chorioretinal anomalies depending on the form\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eVCAN\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHereditary retinal dystrophies including Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (CSNB)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eMyopia, night blindness (hemeralopia), nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), strabismus\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eMultiple genes\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarfan syndrome\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eEctopia lentis (dislocated lens), myopia, aortic dilation, skeletal anomalies, dural anomalies, hyperelasticity\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eFBN1\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeill-Marchesani syndrome\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eEctopia lentis, microspherophakia (small spherical lens), glaucoma, short stature, brachydactyly (short fingers), joint stiffness\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eFBN1\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEhlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eHeterogeneous clinical presentations, 6 subtypes, bluish scleral spots, joint hyperlaxity, soft tissue fragility\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eADAMTS2\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrittle cornea syndrome\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eType of EDS with thin, fragile cornea\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eZNF469\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCohen syndrome\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eProgressive myopia, chorioretinal dystrophy, truncal obesity, growth retardation, hypotonia (low muscle tone), psychomotor retardation, neutropenia (low white blood cell count)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eVPS13B\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlbinism\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eHypopigmentation of skin and hair, transilluminable iris, macular hypoplasia (underdeveloped macula)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eOCA2, other genes\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAniridia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003ePanocular involvement, absence of the iris (aniridia), limbal insufficiency, glaucoma, cataract, macular hypoplas\n\n\u003c!-- ddn:faq:start --\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"ddn-faq\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is myopia and why is it called an epidemic?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMyopia, or nearsightedness, means the eyeball is too long, so distant objects look blurry. It is called a global epidemic because about 23% of the world's population was myopic in 2000, and experts project nearly 50% will be myopic by 2050. This increase is linked to modern lifestyles with more near work and less outdoor time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow quickly does myopia progress in a child?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn children, myopia is considered progressive when it increases by at least -0.5 diopters per year. The onset of myopia is defined as a refraction greater than -0.5 diopters combined with an increase in the eye's axial length. Identifying this early allows treatment to slow further progression and reduce complications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat are the risks of myopia beyond needing glasses?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMyopia can lead to serious complications later in life, including retinal detachment, abnormal blood vessel growth under the retina, early-onset cataracts, and glaucoma. These complications become more frequent as myopia becomes more severe. They are caused by the eyeball being too long, which stretches and weakens the eye's tissues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich treatments can slow myopia progression in children?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProven strategies to slow myopia progression include spending more time outdoors, wearing special defocus-correcting glasses or contact lenses, orthokeratology (night-time corneal reshaping), and using low-dose atropine eye drops. These methods can reduce progression by approximately 50%. Under-correction of myopia should be avoided, as it does not help and may worsen progression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow is myopia diagnosed in children?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChildren's vision is screened according to their health record. If an anomaly is found, a complete eye exam is done, including measuring visual acuity using drawings or letters. The only reliable way to measure a child's true refractive error is refraction under cycloplegia, which uses eye drops to temporarily paralyze focusing muscles. Optical biometry measures the eye's length and tracks progression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan myopia be a sign of a genetic syndrome?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. In some children, high or rapidly progressing myopia may be part of an underlying genetic syndrome, such as Stickler syndrome, Marfan syndrome, or albinism. A thorough pediatric and systemic workup is crucial when myopia is accompanied by other physical features. Targeted genetic testing can help identify the specific syndrome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is spending time outdoors recommended for myopia?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBright outdoor light stimulates dopamine release in the retina, and dopamine appears to inhibit excessive elongation of the eye. This may explain why children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to develop myopia. In contrast, near work increases myopia risk, so balancing outdoor time with reading and screen use is important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen should a child with high or progressive myopia get a second opinion?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh or rapidly progressing myopia, defined as increasing by −0.5 diopters per year or more, warrants a second opinion. A thorough systemic workup is essential because myopia can signal an underlying genetic syndrome, such as Stickler or Marfan syndrome. A second opinion can independently review the cycloplegic refraction, axial length measurements, and treatment plan. Options to slow progression include outdoor time, defocus lenses, orthokeratology, and low-dose atropine eye drops, which can reduce progression by approximately 50%. Diagnostic Detectives Network provides independent expert second opinions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ddn:faq:end --\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"DiagnosticDetectives.Com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47494447825052,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/diagnosticdetectives.com\/fr\/products\/childhood-myopia-nearsightedness-a-complete-guide-to-the-global-epidemic-its-risks-and-proven-treatments","provider":"DiagnosticDetectives.Com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}