Myopia Control For Kids

Early Myopia Diagnosis And Management Will Lead to Better Outcomes.

Signs of Progressive Myopia in Children:

Reading at unusually close distance may suggest your child is suffering from myopia.

Difficulty with distance vision

Trouble with reading the whiteboard in the front of the class, or having to hold books or devices closer than before to see clearly.

Unusual behaviour

Complaining frequently of headaches or eye fatigue. Unusual head tilting, “squinting” or eye rubbing when viewing objects.

Requiring Frequent changes of glasses

Power of glasses need to be updated within 3-6 months of the last pair because vision is no longer clear.

Family history of myopia

If one parent is myopic, a child has twice the risk of developing myopia compared to his/her peers. If both parents are myopic, this risk goes up to eight times!

Concerned that your child’s myopia is getting worse?

If your child’s prescription is increasing or they are having difficulty seeing clearly at school, book an eye assessment to evaluate their myopia progression and discuss suitable myopia control options.
Book a Myopia Assessment
Severe myopic degeneration can result in serious and permanent visual loss.

Myopia Control Treatment Options for Children

1

Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops

Atropine eye drops have been used for myopia control in Singapore for more than 2 decades. They have been proven to be effective and safe when used under supervision.
2

Myopia Control Glasses and Contact Lenses

In general, the scientific evidence for glasses and contact lenses are not as strong as for atropine eye drops. Some children may not tolerate these glasses as peripheral vision or vision in certain angles of gaze may be blurred.

Contact lenses may not be suitable for younger children or those who may not yet have the maturity to adhere to contact lens hygiene advice.

3

Outdoor Time and Lifestyle Changes

Spending more time outdoors and managing prolonged periods of near work may help reduce the risk of myopia development and progression in children. Parents can encourage regular outdoor activities and breaks during prolonged near work or screen use.

Atropine eye drops slow down the pace at which myopia is increasing but does not reverse existing myopia.

Therefore, it is best to start children on treatment early for maximum benefit.

There are several different concentrations of Atropine eye drops for different needs.

Benefits of Atropine Eye Drops for Myopia Control

May slow myopia progression

Low-dose atropine eye drops may help slow the progression of myopia in children.

Convenient treatment

Atropine eye drops are typically administered once daily, depending on the prescribed treatment plan.

Generally well tolerated at low doses

Low-dose atropine eye drops is generally well tolerated, although some children may experience side effects such as light sensitivity or difficulty focusing at close distances.

Widely Studied

Supported by decades of extensive research, Atropine is a well-established treatment for managing myopia progression in children.

What to Expect During a Myopia Assessment for Your Child

A detailed examination is necessary to prove that your child has progressive myopia and not “pseudomyopia”. A risk assessment would then be done based on factors like rate of myopia progression, age of the child, family history and environmental exposure. The appropriate concentration of atropine would be chosen based on the risk of progression.

Please read this for more information on what to expect when your child comes for his/her myopia assessment.

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FAQs

Yes, children can continue with most activities, including sports. However, if they are on higher doses of Atropine eye drops, they may  experienced increased sensitivity to light and may need tinted glasses or sunglasses when they spend time in the sun.

Myopia tends to increase significantly between the ages of 5 to 15 years of age, with particularly rapid progression between 6 to 8 years old. If there is a strong family history, it is recommended that you have him screened early as children who develop myopia earlier have a higher risk of becoming highly myopic adults. The earlier these children are treated, the better the final outcome.

Atropine 0.01% eye drops is effective in slowing down myopia progression in about 60% of children. About 20-30% of children may require higher doses (Atropine 0.125% or 1%) to curb progression. In a small percentage (10%) of children, Atropine eye drops may not work.

Your ophthalmologist will decide on an appropriate concentration based on your child’s risk profile. Very often, children start with low dose eyedrops,  and may require a conversion to higher concentrations if myopia continues to progress.

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    101 Irrawaddy Road #20-07 Royal Square Medical Centre Singapore 329565