logo
Solutions
Electronic Health Records

Digital charting tools

Add-on products
RevAspire

Simplified CMS reporting

RevBilling

Hassle-free claims management

RevClear

Fast, accurate claim processing

RevDirect

HIPAA-compliant provider communication

RevEngage

Supercharged patient engagement

RevIntake

Streamlined intake and scheduling

RevPayments

Integrated payment processing

Practices
Single LocationMulti LocationNew PracticesCorporate-AffiliatedSpecialties Colleges & SchoolsOptical Shops
Pricing
Resources
BlogeBooksWebinarsAll Resources
Company
About UsSupportSwitching EHRs?TestimonialsPartnersContact Us
Login
Request a demo
Request a demo
Blog
Patient Care

What Is Pediatric Myopia: Causes and Treatments

By
RevolutionEHR Team
Jul 5, 2023
•
5 min read
Share this post
pediatric eye exam with optician tools
Instructions
If you intend to use this component with Finsweet's Table of Contents attributes follow these steps:
  1. Remove the current class from the content27_link item as Webflows native current state will automatically be applied.
  2. To add interactions which automatically expand and collapse sections in the table of contents select the content27_h-trigger element, add an element trigger and select Mouse click (tap)
  3. For the 1st click select the custom animation Content 27 table of contents [Expand] and for the 2nd click select the custom animation Content 27 table of contents [Collapse].
  4. In the Trigger Settings, deselect all checkboxes other than Desktop and above. This disables the interaction on tablet and below to prevent bugs when scrolling.
Table of Contents
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Related Articles
The Journey to Revolution EHR: Why the Oklahoma College of Optometry at NSU Made the Switch
Guide to Optometry Specialties and Benefits of Specialized Care
5 Common Eye Conditions in Children
12 Ways Your Eye Health Can Reflect Your Overall Health
Healthy Vision in the Digital Age: Screen Time Challenges
Related eBooks
Local SEO for optometrists
Seasonal Recall and Recare Strategy: Boost Patient Visits This Spring
Financial Best Practices for Multi-Location Optometry Practices
Closing the Year Right: A Year-End Planner for Optometrists
The Optometrist’s Handbook for Billing Diabetic Eye Conditions
Related Webinars
Turning Your Optometry Practice Into a Billing Powerhouse
From Clicks to Patients: The Optometrist’s Guide to Winning with SEO
Beyond the Purchase: Streamline Your Operations as a New Owner
Turnover-Proof Your Practice: 7 Ways to Keep Your Best Employees
Year-End Billing Review: Key Strategies for Optometry Practices

Highlights

  • Pediatric myopia rates are increasing on a global scale, making it a top concern for optometrists around the world.
  • Modern lifestyle factors, such as increased screen time, urbanization, and less outdoor time, cause pediatric myopia.
  • Genetics and environmental factors also contribute to a growing prevalence of pediatric myopia.
  • Optometrists can raise awareness about pediatric myopia by educating parents and the community about risk factors and providing comprehensive eye care to patients beginning at an early age.

Pediatric myopia, or childhood nearsightedness, is a growing global concern, affecting nearly a quarter of school-aged children worldwide. While the condition can be due to genetic factors, modern lifestyle factors contribute to a spike in pediatric myopia diagnosis.

Understanding the prevalence, causes, and emerging treatments of the condition can help educate your patients and help you provide high-level care for pediatric myopia.

The Prevalence of Pediatric Myopia

Global statistics show a current myopia prevalence of 23% of children worldwide and that there will be a significant increase in myopia among children and teenagers. Some estimates indicate that 49.8% of the world’s population may be myopic by 2050. In many East Asian countries, the prevalence of myopia among schoolchildren has surpassed 90%.

In addition to increased myopic prevalence in children, the age of onset for myopia is decreasing, with children as young as five years old being diagnosed.

Untreated myopia can have long-term consequences, including an increased risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration. These conditions can lead to permanent vision loss. Diagnosing and managing myopia early is critical to prevent its progression and reduce the risk of long-term eye problems.

child using a tablet

Causes of Pediatric Myopia

Pediatric myopia is a complex condition influenced by various factors, ranging from genetics to inadequate exposure to natural light. Some of the most common causes of pediatric myopia include:

Increased Screen Time

Children who spend more time on electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers are at a higher risk of developing myopia. A 2021 study found that children with high levels of smartphone use had a 30% increase in the risk of developing myopia and an 80% increase due to excessive computer use.

This may be the result of performing extended near-sighted activities on these devices. It may also be due to blue light emissions, which can increase eye strain and myopia development.

Reduced Time Spent Outdoors

Natural light is essential for proper eye growth and development. However, American children spend an average of 4 to 7 minutes playing outdoors each day, compared to over 7 hours in front of a digital device.

The findings of a 2021 study suggest that if children were to increase their outdoor time from 1 to 3 hours daily, they could reduce their risk of myopia by up to 50%. A 2019 study found that sunlight triggers the release of dopamine from the retina, preventing eyeball enlargement and minimizing axial elongation, factors associated with myopia development.

Myopia Genetics and Family History

Pediatric myopia can also be hereditary. Researchers have identified twelve genetic loci as contributing to myopia development, with several of the loci associated with early-onset myopia in children under seven.

This means that children with a family history of myopia are likely to develop the condition. A 2017 study found that the prevalence of myopia increased with the number of myopic parents. Children with no myopic parents had a 7.6% risk rate; those with one myopic parent had a 14.9% risk rate, which increased to 43.6% for children with two myopic parents.

Urbanization and Environmental Factors

Urban environments may offer fewer opportunities for outdoor activities and exposure to natural light, while pollution and high population density may also contribute to the development of myopia.

‍A 2022 study found that the prevalence of myopia was higher in urban areas than in rural areas in China. The study showed an 82.71% prevalence of myopia among urban students compared to 71.76% in rural ones.

Educational Pressure and Near-Work Activities

Parental pressure to achieve higher academic performance and the subsequent effect on children’s study habits may contribute to the development of myopia. Spending too much time on near-sighted work tasks, such as reading, writing, and computer use, may lead to hyperopic defocus, which is associated with faster myopic progression.

‍A 2015 study found that the odds of developing myopia increased by 2% for every one diopter hour of near-work tasks per week.

Emerging Treatments and Techniques

Several emerging treatments and techniques offer hope for managing pediatric myopia and reducing the risk of long-term complications. Optometrists can work with families to develop individualized myopia treatment plans considering the child’s specific risk factors and needs.

Risk Assessment

Optometrists use various techniques to assess a child’s myopia risk factors, including family history, ethnicity, and lifestyle factors such as time spent indoors or on electronic devices. A risk assessment can help identify children most likely to develop myopia and enable optometrists to intervene early.

Peripheral Defocus Contact Lenses

Peripheral defocus contact lenses work by correcting the peripheral refractive error, which is believed to contribute to the development and progression of myopia. These lenses are designed to reduce the stimulus for axial elongation, the underlying cause of myopia progression.

‍A 2020 review found that peripheral defocus contact lenses can significantly reduce myopic progression and have an efficacy rate of up to 79% compared with just 19% for standard bifocal lenses.

Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops

Low-dose atropine eye drops reduce myopia progression by slowing the axial elongation of the eye.

‍A 2022 review found that 1% low-dose atropine reduces myopia progression by up to 77%. While higher doses of atropine can cause side effects such as photophobia and difficulty focusing, low-dose atropine is safe and effective in children.

5-star review
“I have used four previous Optometric programs and EHRs. Revolution is the most impressive EHR to date. I also appreciate the ability of Revolution to continually make changes to improve their system.”

Name Surname

Position, Company name

star rating
“I have used four previous Optometric programs and EHRs. Revolution is the most impressive EHR to date. I also appreciate the ability of Revolution to continually make changes to improve their system.”

Name Surname

Position, Company name

5-star review
"RevolutionEHR is an unbelievably customizable product with exceptional “front of office” capabilities combined with an excellent EMR. All of this supported by a very friendly and helpful customer support staff with a genuine personal approach."

Robert MacAlpine

OD

5-star review
"With multiple locations, I can see what is happening from anywhere. I have doctors who were less than stellar on record keeping and this helps them be efficient and thorough."

Torrey Carlson

OD

5-star review
"The ability for us to access it anywhere and not have to run into the office on weekends to access a patient’s chart when they call is awesome."

Lauren Marshall

Office Manager, Downtown Eye Care

5-star review
"RevolutionEHR is very easy to use, dependable, and has great customer service."

Jennie Huber

Biller, Mason Vision Center

5-star review
"I like the ease of customization exams/encounters can be done "on the fly." Also the reporting is amazing!"

Angie Fouts

Office Manager, Vision Care Clinic, PC

5-star review
"RevolutionEHR is easy to use and has a quick learning curve. It contains all the exam information necessary for our operation."

Nickolas Scavo

Optometrist, OD LensCrafters

5-star review
"Best thought out EMR of any I have seen by far."

Ralph Hendrix

Optometrist, dc.rr.com

5-star review
"Very easy to navigate and straight forward."

Casey Smith

Optometrist, The Ohio State University

5-star review
"RevolutionEHR is intuitive, smooth, and works as advertised. I also like that it is a cloud-based system - very nice for multiple locations."

Eric Dale

Optometrist, Indiana University

5-star review
"RevolutionEHR is easy to use and the customer support is great. They are constantly working to improve RevolutionEHR for all users."

Larry Motacek

Optometrist, Lifetime Vision 20/20

5-star review
"I have ALWAYS found RevolutionEHR support to be helpful when I reach out to them. I love that the product is cloud-based as I can access it anywhere in the event of a patient emergency."

Kelly McGahen

Office Manager, Joel H McGahen OD. PC.

5-star review
"I love how the encounters are customizable and thus have enabled us to pass insurance audits with a 100% score."

Linda Abney

Office Manager, Independent Creative Consultants

Pediatric Refractive Surgery

Pediatric refractive surgery, such as laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), can be used for myopia control in children. While this surgery is usually reserved for older children and adolescents, it can be used relatively safely and effectively for younger children not responsive to other treatments.

‍A 2018 review of a study conducted on patients aged between 1 and 17.4 years old showed a significant improvement in the refractive error following LASIK surgery, and 49% of patients experienced measurable stereopsis after surgery compared with just 18% before the procedure.

Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is a non-surgical treatment for myopia in children that involves wearing specially designed contact lenses while sleeping. The lenses gently reshape the cornea and can significantly reduce myopia progression. Orthokeratology is often combined with atropine drops for greater axial length changes.

A 2020 study found that combination vision therapy using Ortho-K lenses and low-dose atropine was 28% more effective than using Ortho-K lenses alone. However, the study also notes that the long-term effects of this treatment are still uncertain, and there are some potential risks associated with wearing contact lenses overnight, such as corneal infections.

child getting an eye exam

What Optometrists Can Do to Fight Pediatric Myopia

Optometrists can help raise awareness of pediatric myopia and fight against the condition by offering education, incorporating myopia management into routine eye care, and collaborating with other professionals.

By implementing the following strategies, you can contribute to the awareness and prevention of pediatric myopia.

  • Conduct community outreach programs or email campaigns to educate parents, teachers, and caregivers about the risks of myopia and the importance of regular eye exams.
  • Provide informative brochures, posters, and online resources highlighting the significance of early detection and prevention strategies for myopia.
  • Offer interactive workshops or seminars to support parental awareness about lifestyle modifications, such as outdoor activities and reduced screen time, that can help prevent myopia.
  • Incorporate myopia management techniques, such as multi-focal contact lenses or orthokeratology, into routine eye care for children at risk of developing myopia.
  • Collaborate with pediatricians, educators, and other professionals to create a comprehensive approach to address the issue of pediatric myopia, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary care.
  • Use integrated optometry practice management software to keep accurate patient records, track potential eye health issues, and optimize scheduling for convenient, targeted eye care treatment.

Support Your Patients’ Eye Health With RevolutionEHR

Optometrists are vital to raising awareness and promoting eye health among their patients. Using cloud-based optometry EHR helps support your efforts with digital patient communication tools and simplified documentation that enables you to provide top-notch care.

‍Schedule a demo with a RevolutionEHR Specialist today to learn how integrated practice management software allows you to focus on proactive myopia management and better vision for all your patients.

RevolutionEHR Team
RevolutionEHR Team

Backed by deep expertise in optometry and a commitment to the success of eye care practices, RevolutionEHR offers insights and perspectives designed to help providers streamline operations, enhance patient care, and thrive in a changing healthcare landscape.

logo
Solutions
RevAspire
RevBilling
RevClear
RevEngage
RevIntake
RevPayments
RevDirect
Practices
Single Location
Multi Location
New Practices
Corporate Affiliated
Specialties
Colleges & Schools
Learn
Blog
eBooks
Webinars
All Resources
About
Switching EHRs?
Careers
Partners
News
Contact Us
SMS Opt-in
Support
© RevolutionEHR
changelog
Status
Privacy policy