Nov. 23, 2024
Myopia is a common cause of correctable vision loss in children, and it is the most common source of distance vision impairment in the world. According to an article published in the December 2021 issue of Beyoglu Eye Journal, the global prevalence of myopia is predicted to increase from 27% of the world's population in 2010 to 52% by 2050.
"Because there is a strong genetic component to myopia, if either parent has a high degree of myopia, it can be beneficial to check whether a child is developing early or mild myopia," says Sean P. Templeman, O.D., a pediatric optometrist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "Early intervention and detection in children with myopia is the key to reducing the long-term impact on their ocular health and improving their future."
"Very high myopia may also be associated with other systemic, genetic or ocular comorbidities," says Eric J. Kim, M.D., a pediatric ophthalmologist at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. "Early identification of myopia can allow for an opportunity for interventions and treatments that can help slow the rate of progression."
Mayo Clinic's pediatric myopia clinic offers coordinated care within a multidisciplinary team that has extensive experience managing the care of children with myopia. Healthcare professionals in specialties including pediatric optometry, pediatric ophthalmology and pediatric retina work closely together to come up with a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan.
"One of the benefits of our pediatric clinic is that we have access to specialized testing such as optical biometry to measure the axial length of the eye to monitor for progression," says Dr. Kim. "We're also able to work closely with our clinical genomics colleagues and refer for genetic testing when indicated."
Current therapies that show the most promise include:
- Low-dose atropine.
- Increased time outside.
- Multifocal contact lenses.
- Orthokeratology.
Researchers and clinicians continue to seek more-effective approaches to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children and adolescents. "In our clinic, we have the opportunity to stay connected with current research that is going on with myopia," says Dr. Templeman. "We are constantly gathering data, which aids in the development of protocols and treatment strategies. We have the unique ability to be at the forefront and stay up to date on relevant changes in the field."
Future research studies may include the use of multifocal spectacles, which have shown promise in slowing the rate of myopia progression but are still pending approval for use in the U.S.
Prevention is key in slowing the progression of myopia in children, and it helps address an increasing global incidence. "Even if children have passed their vision screenings at school, and nothing is apparently wrong, sometimes vision issues can slip through the cracks," says Dr. Templeman. "Something we've learned is that we need to be as preventive as possible and follow children a bit more closely than we have historically."
For more information
Nouraeinejad A. More than fifty percent of the world population will be myopic by 2050. Beyoglu Eye Journal. 2021;6(4):255.
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