Myopia Mitigation
Children At Risk

This Myopia Moment provides a brief overview of the importance of managing myopia and highlights some of the risk factors to look out for to assist with identifying a child that may develop the condition. Please refer to the source references for more details.
WHY SHOULD WE WORRY ABOUT MYOPIA IN CHILDREN?

Several studies have confirmed a link between myopia and serious eye health problems later in life.

The table highlights how the severity of myopia increases the risk of ocular morbidity. For example, the risk of developing cataracts doubles for myopes with a prescription between -1.00D and -3.00D – and that risk grows as the prescription strengthens.

(Emmetropia = 1x) Cataract (PSCC) Glaucoma Retinal Detachment Myopic Maculopathy
-1.00 to -3.00
2 x
2 x
3 x
2 x
-3.00 to -6.00
3 x
3 x
10 x
10 x
-6.00 or greater
5 x
14 x
22 x
41 x
AGE: YOUNGER AGE OF ONSET
  • The earlier that myopia emerges, the greater the risk of progression to a higher prescription.
  • A child is at risk of developing myopia if their refractive error is less hyperopic than expected for their age.
  • Normal refractive error expected for a child’s age is influenced by ethnicity.
LIFESTYLE: OUTDOOR TIME AND NEAR WORK
  • Children who spend little time outdoors appear to be at greater risk of developing myopia
  • Significant amount of time spent on near work and digital devices also appears to be a risk factor, however, studies showing a connection vary
FAMILY HISTORY: MYOPIC PARENT(S) AND ETHNICITY
  • The presence of myopia in one parent increases the risk of myopia in the child. That risk further increases if both parents are myopic.
  • Even if both parents are non-myopic, their child may still develop myopia.
  • Children of East Asian descent have a higher risk of developing myopia in comparison to other ethnic groups.
OTHER VISION DISORDERS

Vision disorders such as reduced accommodative responses, increased accommodative lag, and higher AC/A ratios are frequently found in patients who have myopia.

However, current research evidence does not suggest a role for these vision disorders in the development or progression of myopia at this point in time.

More Myopia Moments

Mitigation

Lifestyle Advice to Prevent Myopia

Prepared by the World Council of Optometry Myopia Management Resource Committee 2021. The World Council of Optometry Myopia Management Standard of Care initiative is supported by a grant from CooperVision.
  • Flitcroft DI. The complex interactions of retinal, optical and environmental factors in myopia aetiology. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2012: 31(6):622-660.
  • Breslin, KMM. A Prospective Study of Spherical Refractive Error and Ocular Components Among Northern Irish Schoolchildren (The NICER Study). IOVS 2013; 54(7):4843-4850.
  • Gifford KL et al. IMI – Clinical Management Guidelines Report. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019;60(3):M184 M203.
  • Rosenfield M et al. Do progressing myopes show reduced accommodative responses? Optom Vis Sci. 2002;79:268–273.
  • Xiang F, He M, Morgan IG. Annual changes in refractive errors and ocular components before and after the onset of myopia in Chinese children. Ophthalmology 2012;119:1478-1484.
  • Kurtz D et al, the COMET Group; Role of Parental Myopia in the Progression of Myopia and Its Interaction with Treatment in COMET Children. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2007;48(2):562-570.
  • Mutti DO, Mitchell GL, Moeschberger ML, Jones LA, Zadnik K. Parental myopia, near work, school achievement, and children’s refractive error. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002 Dec;43(12):3633-40.

Soft Dual Focus or Multifocal Contact Lenses

Spectacle Lenses for Myopia Control

Orthokeratology

Atropine

When to wear it

Children who are physically active
Ideal for very young wearers
Children disliking glasses and/or inclined to not wearing them full-time

Considerations

Shown to improve confidence and ability to participate in activities.

Typically more availability for astigmats.

No wearing time during waking hours.

Optical correction is still needed.

* Excluding children frequently engaged in water sports.