Methods to control increasing myopia

Myopia is one of the most common refractive errors today and is rapidly increasing, especially in children and adolescents. More worryingly, many cases are not just simple myopia, but progress to high myopia, increasing the risk of dangerous eye diseases in the future such as retinal detachment, macular degeneration, cataracts, and even permanent vision loss.

Children get their eyes examined at Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital.

Doctor Nguyen Thi Hong, Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital (Tam Hiep ward, Dong Nai province), said: Progressive myopia occurs when the eyeball continues to lengthen, causing the degree of myopia to increase from year to year, often occurring in school-age children.

The main cause of high myopia is genetic factors combined with unhealthy living habits such as: excessive use of electronic devices, reading at close range, little exposure to natural light and lack of outdoor activities.

To slow down the progression of myopia, Dr. Hong suggests several methods such as: Wearing Ortho-K lenses (a type of rigid contact lens worn at night that temporarily reshapes the cornea, thereby improving daytime vision and controlling the progression of myopia; effective for children aged 6-18). Using low-dose Atropine eye drops can slow the progression of myopia. Depending on the concentration of the medication, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose.

Some lenses specially designed to slow the elongation of the eyeball, such as: Stellets and Myocare, can also limit the progression of myopia by up to 60-70%.

In addition to the above methods, red light therapy is being studied to help reduce the progression of myopia by up to 90%, promising to be the best method for myopia in school-age children.

People at risk of progressive myopia need to change their lifestyle such as: Increasing outdoor activities (at least 2 hours/day), taking breaks every 20 minutes of close-up work and keeping a reasonable distance when reading, writing, and using electronic devices.

Dr. Hong warns: Progressive myopia is a silent threat to the visual health of the young generation. Parents and schools need to work closely together to educate , monitor and create conditions for children to have scientific living habits, protecting healthy eyes for life.

An Yen

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202508/cac-phuong-phap-kiem-soat-tang-do-can-thi-450087c/