Myopia (nearsightedness) has become one of the fastest-growing eye problems in children. Previously appearing mostly during adolescence, myopia is now common even in elementary school-age children. This increase is so rapid that scientists are now using the term “myopia pandemic.”
Myopia is not just about needing glasses; when it progresses, it can lay the groundwork for serious eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
What is Myopia?
Myopia develops when the eye’s front-to-back length is excessive or the cornea is more curved than normal, causing light to focus in front of the retina.
Symptoms
- Blurry distance vision
- Difficulty seeing the board, moving closer to the TV
- Squinting
- Headaches, eye fatigue
The Myopia Pandemic
- According to World Health Organization data, more than 50% of the world’s population could be myopic by 2050.
- In Asian countries (China, South Korea, Singapore), 80% of high school-age youth are myopic.
- In Turkey, this rate has reached 30% and continues to rise.
Why is there this increase?
- Screen time: Tablet, phone, and computer use makes near focusing continuous for the eyes.
- Lack of outdoor time: Sunlight helps prevent eye elongation by increasing dopamine secretion.
- Educational burden: Long hours of reading and screen work from a young age.
- Genetic predisposition: If there is myopia in the family, the child’s risk is higher.
Current Prevention and Treatment Approaches
1) Lifestyle modifications
- 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds.
- Outdoor time: Spend at least 90-120 minutes daily in daylight.
- Screen time limit: None for ages 0-2; preferably not exceeding 2 hours for school-age children.
2) Optical solutions
Defocus lenses (smart myopia glasses)
- While the center zone provides clear vision, the surrounding defocus zones aim to suppress stimuli that trigger myopia.
- Studies show they can reduce progression by up to 50%.
- Particularly effective in children between ages 6-14.
Ortho-K lenses
Special rigid contact lenses worn at night and removed in the morning temporarily reshape the cornea. This provides clear vision without glasses during the day while attempting to slow myopia progression.
3) Pharmacological methods
Low-dose atropine drops
When used at low concentrations between 0.01-0.05%, they have been reported to slow myopia progression by 30-50%.
4) Nutrition and supplements
Citicoline
It has been reported that citicoline may help strengthen neural transmission in retinal cells and stabilize visual functions in myopic children.
Vitamins and antioxidants
Lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3, and vitamin D can support retinal and macular health.
Conclusion
Myopia is now a rapidly increasing condition on a global scale. However, today there are not only glasses but also options aimed at slowing myopia:
- Defocus lenses
- Ortho-K lenses
- Low-dose atropine drops
- Citicoline support and dietary management
The most important step parents can take is to balance screen time, get their child outdoors, and not neglect regular eye examinations.