What are the preventive measures to reduce vision loss due to myopia?

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Controlling and preventing myopia from worsening is essential for several reasons. Firstly, myopia can significantly impact a child's quality of life. As nearsightedness progresses, it can lead to blurred vision, difficulty seeing objects at a distance, and potential eye strain. This can hinder a child's academic performance, participation in sports and other outdoor activities, and overall enjoyment of daily life. Further, myopia carries long-term implications for eye health. Individuals with high levels of myopia are at a higher risk of developing sight-threatening conditions such as early onset of cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Taking measures to control myopia in childhood can reduce the risk of these complications later in life. Controlling myopia also has economic implications, too. The financial burden of managing myopia, including frequent changes in corrective or contact lenses, can be substantial for families. However, implementing preventive strategies can reduce the need for more aggressive interventions and minimize the associated costs.

1. Promote outdoor activities and limit screen time: In recent years, research has provided compelling evidence linking increased outdoor time to a reduced risk of myopia in children. This finding has significant implications for parents and educators as they strive to protect children's vision and curb the alarming rise of myopia worldwide. Several studies have consistently shown a strong association between spending more time outdoors and a lower incidence of myopia. For example, one landmark study conducted in Asia, where myopia rates are exceptionally high, revealed that children who spent more time outdoors had a significantly reduced risk of developing myopia compared to those with limited outdoor exposure. The mechanisms underlying outdoor time's protective effect on myopia are still being investigated. One hypothesis suggests that the intensity and quality of light outdoors, especially natural sunlight, play a crucial role. Sunlight exposure stimulates the release of dopamine in the retina, a neurotransmitter that inhibits excessive eye growth and helps maintain proper eye shape. Outdoor activities also tend to involve more distance vision and visual stimuli that require focusing on objects at varying distances, which may contribute to the protective effect. While the ideal duration of outdoor time for myopia prevention is not yet determined, several studies have suggested that spending at least two to three hours per day outdoors can significantly reduce the risk of myopia development. Encouraging children to engage in outdoor activities such as sports, playing in parks, or simply spending time in natural environments can make a meaningful difference.

2. Implement the 20-20-20 rule: The 20-20-20 rule is a simple yet effective technique for preventing eye strain, particularly in children who may spend prolonged periods engaged in near work such as reading or using digital devices. This rule encourages regular breaks and helps alleviate the strain on the eyes, potentially reducing the risk of myopia progression. The concept of the 20-20-20 rule is simple — for every 20 minutes of near work, take a 20-second break and focus on an object 20 feet away. Doing so allows the eyes to rest and readjust their focus, reducing the strain caused by near-continuous work. Engaging in near-work activities for extended periods places significant stress on the eye's focusing system. When we focus on nearby objects, the eye's ciliary muscles contract, causing the lens to thicken for near vision. Over time, this prolonged contraction of the ciliary muscles can contribute to eye fatigue and potentially impact the development and progression of myopia.

3. Encourage proper distance and lighting: Maintaining appropriate reading and screen distances is paramount for eye health, particularly in myopia prevention. When we hold reading materials or electronic devices too close to our eyes, the focusing system is strained, contributing to eye fatigue and potentially worsening myopia. By maintaining an optimal reading distance, typically around 35 to 40 centimeters (cm) from the eyes, we allow the eyes to focus more comfortably, reducing the strain on the eye muscles. Similarly, when using screens such as computers, tablets, or smartphones, it is recommended to maintain a distance of about 50 to 71 cm. Meanwhile, creating a well-lit environment for reading and studying is vital for maintaining healthy vision and preventing eye strain. Ample and appropriate lighting ensures the eyes can focus comfortably on the reading material or screen without excessive strain. Natural light is preferred, so positioning the study area near a window or utilizing daylight bulbs can help mimic natural lighting conditions. A well-lit environment promotes optimal visual conditions, reduces eye fatigue, and supports children's learning and reading work.

4. Visit the doctor for regular eye exams: They allow optometrists or ophthalmologists to assess the eyes' overall health, detect any early signs of myopia, and monitor its progression. Early detection enables timely intervention, which can help prevent myopia from worsening. Therefore, it is recommended that children undergo comprehensive eye exams at least once a year. The doctor will prescribe corrective eyewear, such as glasses or contact lenses, to provide clear vision for children with myopia. By correcting refractive errors, these visual aids help reduce eye strain, improve focus, and enhance visual comfort. They also help prevent the development of habits like squinting or straining that can exacerbate myopia progression.

5. Consider myopia control techniques: Apart from outdoor activities, proper reading and screen distances, regular eye exams, and corrective eyewear, there are other myopia control techniques, such as Atropine eye drops. Pharmaceutical interventions, such as low-dose atropine eye drops, have been studied for their potential to control myopia progression. Atropine eye drops relax the eye's focusing system, slowing eye growth and myopia progression.

6. Promote healthy lifestyle habits: Research has indicated a strong correlation between healthy lifestyle choices and a reduced risk of myopia development and progression in children. Encouraging a balanced diet that includes essential nutrients for eye health, such as vitamins C and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and lutein, can significantly support optimal visual health and potentially mitigate myopia. Regular physical activity has also been linked to a lower risk of myopia. Engaging in outdoor activities, sports, and exercises not only promotes overall physical well-being but also provides exposure to natural light and a break from near work, which can contribute to reducing the onset and progression of myopia. Sufficient sleep is another vital factor in maintaining healthy eyes and potentially preventing myopia. Studies have shown that inadequate sleep or disrupted sleep patterns may increase the risk of developing myopia. Ensuring that children get appropriate quality sleep supports their overall health and visual well-being.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.