For children with myopia, which is a better line of treatment, under-correction glasses or peripheral vision management?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have a five year old daughter who will be attending kindergarten this year. I have taken her to two different optometrists, who have indicated that she has myopia (both eyes are around -3 dioptres to -3.5 dioptres). My daughter has been reading books for hours everyday day since she was three years old, which I understand is a likely cause of myopia. My issue is that the two optometrists have suggested different prescription glasses. One has suggested fully corrective lenses (at -3.0 dioptres OS and -3.25 dioptres OD) and the idea of using special 'peripheral vision management' lenses. The other doctor has suggested that a weaker prescription (-1.5 dioptres on both sides) would be better as it would force her eyes to try harder to see, and they would be more likely to adjust themselves in the right direction. He has also recommended a bifocal lens, with +1.25 dioptres when she looks down to read. I am not sure which doctor to believe.

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your confusion. Your daughter has myopia, so it should always be undercorrected. So there is no question of giving a full prescription, and as she is very small, there is no need for bifocal as she would not be able to adjust. Whenever she is reading, she can read from the same myopic correction glasses or can remove the glass and read. So the ideal is to prescribe a weaker prescription, but again -1.5 dioptres is too weak. So she should go for -2 dioptres in both eyes but for which her acceptance should be good. She should read at least 20/20 with binocular -2 dioptres. So I suggest visiting an eye specialist doctor for a thorough check-up. Thank you.