Myopia or nearsightedness is increasing at an alarming rate in children & teens. This is as a direct result of increased screen use as well as other factors like less time spent outdoors. For this reason, many researchers have been trying to measure how fast the scripts are changing in these young people. [According to Retina Today (https://retinatoday.com/articles/2019-sept/myopia-a-global-epidemic#:~:text=In%202010%2C%20an%20estimated%201.9,%2C%20by%202050%20(Figure).), “In 2010, an estimated 1.9 billion people (27% of the world’s population) were myopic, and 70 million of them (2.8%) had high myopia. These numbers are projected to rise to 52% and 10%, respectively, by 2050.” These statistics are supported by many researchers, and they are not disputed.]
Patient case study:
I first saw this patient in 2019 when he was 11 years old.
His spectacle Rx changed by 33% from -2.00D to -3.00D in both eyes (with astigmatism unchanged).
I therefore advised his mum to bring him in annually and Orthokeratology was also introduced to the patient.
He returned this week with a complaint of a broken frame and had not had another eye examination since 2019.
The right eye’s Rx changed from -3.00D to -5.75D-a 92% increase in power.
The left eye’s Rx changed from -3.00D to -7.00D-133% increase in power.
The astigmatism did not change again.
I re-explained the need to manage his myopia progression again, and prescribed Hoya ™ MiyoSmart ™ lenses.
It is these large changes/increases in myopia which has prompted us to research myopia management and inspired the invention of various myopia control devices like orthokeratology contact lenses https://www.paulmoldovanos.co.za/ortho-k/; Miyosmart™ spectacle lenses from Hoya™ & MiSight™ daily soft contact lenses from Cooper Vision™.
The take home is to advise every parent with myopic children, no matter the age or how low the script is, about the need to manage their myopia progression, as well as to educate them on the significance of taking regular breaks from the screen, avoiding, or reducing screen time before bed, and encouraging some exposure to sunlight (https://www.aao.org/education/editors-choice/sunlight-exposure-reduces-myopia-in-children).
Permission to publish this article was granted from the patient’s mother.
To learn more or book your appointment, get in touch: info@paulmoldovanos.co.za
