{"id":10514,"date":"2025-07-18T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/2025\/07\/uncategorised\/myopia-in-children-prevention-and-control\/"},"modified":"2025-07-18T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T10:00:00","slug":"myopia-in-children-prevention-and-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/2025\/07\/ophthalmology\/myopia-in-children-prevention-and-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Myopia in Children: Prevention and Control Strategies to Protect Their Vision in the Digital Age"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, the world around us is increasingly digital. Children and teenagers spend hours in front of tablet, mobile phone and computer screens, and less and less time outdoors. This reality, combined with other factors, has led to an alarming rise in the prevalence of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/eye-problems\/paediatric-ophthalmology\/\">childhood myopia<\/a><\/strong>, making it a global public health issue. Myopia is not just &#8220;poor distance vision&#8221;; it is a condition that, if it progresses quickly, can increase the risk of serious eye diseases in adulthood. At <a href=\"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/our-clinics\/\">Cl\u00ednica Ram\u00edrez &amp; G\u00e1lvez<\/a>, we want to guide you through the causes of myopia in children, how to detect it in time and, crucially, the prevention and control strategies that now allow us to protect their vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What Is Myopia and Why Is It a Concern in Childhood?<\/strong> \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Myopia<\/strong> (short-sightedness) is a common refractive error in which the eye focuses distant objects incorrectly, making them look blurry, while near objects are seen clearly. This happens because the eyeball is longer than normal or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In childhood, myopia is particularly worrying for several reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rapid Progression:<\/strong> Childhood myopia tends to progress faster than in adults, with the prescription increasing year after year. \ud83d\udcc8<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Long-Term Risks:<\/strong> High myopia (more than -6 dioptres) is associated with a greater risk of serious eye complications in adult life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, early cataracts and myopic maculopathy. \ud83d\udea8<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact on Development:<\/strong> If not properly corrected, it affects school performance, participation in sport and social development. \ud83d\udcda\u26bd<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Causes of Childhood Myopia: A Multifactorial Approach<\/strong> \ud83e\udde9<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Childhood myopia does not have a single cause; it results from a combination of factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Genetics:<\/strong> Heredity plays a key role. If one or both parents are short-sighted, the risk of the child developing myopia increases significantly. \ud83d\udc68\u200d\ud83d\udc69\u200d\ud83d\udc67\u200d\ud83d\udc66<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Environmental and Lifestyle Factors:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Excessive Time on Close-Up Activities:<\/strong> Reading, writing and especially prolonged use of screens (mobile phones, tablets, computers) without breaks force the eyes to focus up close. \ud83d\udcf1\ud83d\udcbb<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Little Time Outdoors:<\/strong> Lack of exposure to bright natural light and to distance vision during outdoor play has been identified as an important risk factor. Children need to spend time outside. \ud83c\udf33\u2600\ufe0f<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Early Detection: Warning Signs for Parents and Teachers<\/strong> \ud83d\udd0d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Myopia can go unnoticed if the child does not complain or is too young to express their difficulties. It is vital to watch out for these signs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Getting very close to objects:<\/strong> To read, watch television or use electronic devices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Squinting:<\/strong> To see distant objects or the board.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of interest in outdoor activities or sports<\/strong> that require distance vision.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Frequent headaches.<\/strong> \ud83e\udd15<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Constantly rubbing their eyes.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Poor school performance<\/strong>, especially in subjects that require distance vision. \ud83d\udcc9<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you notice any of these signs, it is essential to see a <strong>paediatric ophthalmologist<\/strong> for a full check-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strategies for Preventing and Controlling Childhood Myopia:<\/strong> \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The good news is that, although myopia cannot always be prevented, there are effective strategies to <strong>slow its progression<\/strong> and reduce the long-term risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Increase Time Outdoors:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recommendation: At least <strong>2 hours a day of outdoor activities<\/strong> in natural light, even on cloudy days. It does not need to be direct sunlight; natural daylight is enough. This is the most effective measure for prevention. \ud83e\udd38\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\u2600\ufe0f<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limit Screen Time and Close-Up Work:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Set <strong>time limits<\/strong> for the use of digital devices, especially for young children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourage the <strong>20-20-20 rule<\/strong>: every 20 minutes of close-up work, take a 20-second break looking at something 20 feet (6 metres) away. \u23f1\ufe0f<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep an <strong>appropriate distance<\/strong> when reading and from screens.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Specialised Contact Lenses and Glasses (Active Myopia Management):<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Peripheral Defocus Contact Lenses (Ortho-K and others):<\/strong> Designed to slow the growth of the eye. Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight to reshape the cornea, allowing clear vision during the day without glasses or contact lenses. Other daily or monthly soft lenses with a peripheral defocus design are also effective. \ud83e\udd13<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Glasses with Peripheral Defocus Technology:<\/strong> Some spectacle lenses are designed with peripheral defocus to slow the progression of myopia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This is a very effective treatment that uses low-concentration atropine drops to slow the growth of the eye and the progression of myopia. The drops are applied at night and are usually very well tolerated. \ud83d\udca7<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regular Eye Examinations:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Crucial for monitoring and adjusting treatment. An annual check-up is recommended for all children, and more frequent ones if they are already short-sighted or have risk factors. \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cl\u00ednica Ram\u00edrez &amp; G\u00e1lvez: Experts in Children&#8217;s Vision<\/strong> \ud83d\udc96<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At <a href=\"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/our-clinics\/\">Cl\u00ednica Ram\u00edrez &amp; G\u00e1lvez<\/a>, we understand the critical importance of vision in children&#8217;s development. Our team of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/medical-team\/\">expert paediatric ophthalmologists<\/a><\/strong> specialises in the early diagnosis and advanced management of childhood myopia. We offer the most innovative and personalised strategies to control the progression of myopia and protect your children&#8217;s eye health in the long term. Don&#8217;t leave your little ones&#8217; vision to chance!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Invest in Your Children&#8217;s Visual Future<\/strong> \ud83c\udf1f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Childhood myopia is a growing condition, but with the right information and tools we can slow its progression and reduce the associated risks. A combination of healthy habits, time outdoors and advanced control strategies can make a significant difference. At Cl\u00ednica Ram\u00edrez &amp; G\u00e1lvez, we are committed to your children&#8217;s visual future. <a href=\"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/contact\/\">Book an eye check-up<\/a> and make sure their eyes grow up healthy and strong in the digital age!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today, the world around us is increasingly digital. Children and teenagers spend hours in front of tablet, mobile phone and computer screens, and less and less time outdoors. This reality, combined with other factors, has led to an alarming rise in the prevalence of childhood myopia, making it a global public health issue. Myopia is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4810,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rs_blank_template":"","rs_page_bg_color":"","slide_template_v7":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[144,147,141],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eye-conditions","category-eye-health","category-ophthalmology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10514","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10514"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10514\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10514"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ramirezgalvez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}