Frequently Asked Questions about Myopia in Children Frequently Asked Questions about Myopia in Children

Can nearsightedness be cured? Can vision that has deteriorated be restored? Can nearsightedness be cured? Can vision that has deteriorated be restored?

Temporary nearsightedness caused by overuse of the eyes can be treated with eye drops or other medications.
However, vision loss due to nearsightedness is mainly caused by an excessive increase in the length of the eye (axial length).
Unfortunately, it is said that it is not possible to reverse the length of the eyeball once it has become excessively long.

What is nearsightedness?

What happens if my nearsightedness gets worse? What happens if my nearsightedness gets worse?

If nearsightedness progresses too far, it not only makes daily life inconvenient, requiring glasses or contact lenses, but it is also said to increase the risk of developing eye diseases that can lead to blindness in the future. Therefore, it is important to prevent nearsightedness from progressing as early as possible.

The risk of developing eye diseases due to myopia is as follows: Cataracts are twice as likely with mild myopia, three times as likely with moderate myopia, and five times as likely with high myopia; Glaucoma is four times as likely with mild myopia, four times as likely with moderate myopia, and fourteen times as likely with high myopia; Peripheral retinal degeneration is six times as likely with mild myopia, eighteen times as likely with moderate myopia, and forty times as likely with high myopia; Retinal detachment is three times as likely with mild myopia, nine times as likely with moderate myopia, and twenty-two times as likely with high myopia; Myopic maculopathy is twice as likely with mild myopia, ten times as likely with moderate myopia, and forty-one times as likely with high myopia. The risk of developing eye diseases due to myopia is as follows: Cataracts are twice as likely with mild myopia, three times as likely with moderate myopia, and five times as likely with high myopia; Glaucoma is four times as likely with mild myopia, four times as likely with moderate myopia, and fourteen times as likely with high myopia; Peripheral retinal degeneration is six times as likely with mild myopia, eighteen times as likely with moderate myopia, and forty times as likely with high myopia; Retinal detachment is three times as likely with mild myopia, nine times as likely with moderate myopia, and twenty-two times as likely with high myopia; Myopic maculopathy is twice as likely with mild myopia, ten times as likely with moderate myopia, and forty-one times as likely with high myopia.

Do smartphones and video games worsen nearsightedness? Do smartphones and video games worsen nearsightedness?

Whether it's using a smartphone or playing games, any task that involves looking at something up close for extended periods puts a strain on your eyes.
Children often don't realize when their eyes are tired. When they are doing tasks that require close-up work, adults should observe them carefully and encourage them to take a 5-10 minute break every hour and look at things in the distance.

Children like this are more likely to develop nearsightedness.

When looking at something close up, is it okay to be in any posture as long as you maintain a distance of 30cm?

The more the head is tilted forward, the greater the strain on the neck and shoulders that support the head. Also, when children lie down and look at smartphones or other devices, their arms may not be long enough to maintain a sufficient distance, the distance to the screen may differ between their left and right eyes, and they may naturally hold the device closer, potentially straining their eyes as they constrict their gaze.
Therefore, when working on tasks that require close-up viewing, it is recommended to maintain a good posture that naturally allows for a safe distance.

How far away should I look to rest my eyes? How far away should I look to rest my eyes?

We recommend looking at something more than 6 meters away.
If you have difficulty seeing things more than 6 meters away, it's okay to close your eyes.

Are activities in a car on a sunny day or in a gymnasium effective in preventing nearsightedness?

There are currently no reports indicating that myopia can be prevented in the following cases:

  • I bask in the sunlight through the windowpane.
  • Spending time indoors
  • Indoor activities such as gymnasiums
  • Use of sunglasses that cover the entire eye

Many sunglasses and window panes have UV-blocking properties, and since they also block various other wavelengths besides UV rays, the light that enters our eyes is different from actual sunlight.
Furthermore, since the light emitted from indoor lighting is different from actual sunlight, it cannot be said that it is the same environment as outdoors.
Research is underway in various countries to determine which wavelengths of sunlight are linked to nearsightedness.

At what age does vision deterioration begin to progress? At what age does vision deterioration begin to progress?

Vision loss often begins and progresses during elementary and junior high school. However, recently, vision loss is occurring at younger ages, and in some cases, nearsightedness can develop as early as before the age of six.

Since the degree of nearsightedness often progresses with age, it is important to pay attention to nearsightedness in children.

*This varies depending on genetics and lifestyle. Some people develop myopia in adulthood, and in some cases, the progression of myopia may not stop.

If a parent is nearsighted, will their child inherit it ?

Studies have shown that the risk of a child developing nearsightedness is more than twice as high if one parent is nearsighted, and more than five times higher if both parents are nearsighted, compared to children whose parents are both nearsighted.
However, given the recent rapid increase in the number of children with myopia, it is believed that environmental factors, in addition to genetic factors, play a significant role.

Recent changes in children's living environments

When should I start correcting my child's vision?

It depends on your child's eyesight. Please observe your child carefully at home. Do they seem to have trouble seeing, or are there any concerns about how they perceive things?

If your child receives a rating other than "A" in vision tests during infant health checkups, school entrance health checkups, or school health checkups, you should first have them examined by an ophthalmologist and, if necessary, receive appropriate vision correction. Vision correction may be necessary not only for nearsightedness, but also for astigmatism or farsightedness.

During periods of physical growth, the condition of your eyes can also change easily. To check for any changes in your prescription, have regular eye examinations at an ophthalmologist.

If you have any concerns, please see an ophthalmologist. If you have any concerns, please see an ophthalmologist.

A child's eyes are precious.
During childhood, when both the body and eyes are growing, it is important to have regular checkups.
Receiving proper guidance is important.
If you have any concerns about your eyes, consult an ophthalmologist.

Supervision

Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine
Kojimachi Odori Ophthalmology Clinic
Professor Kiwako Mori