Is myopia in children likely to lead to multiple "complications"? Doctor reveals: Early treatment can reduce prescription by 50%
The myopia rate in Taiwan has increased by 2.4 times in 30 years! Failure to treat early may lead to glaucoma and cataracts
Taiwan is known as the “kingdom of myopia.” According to statistics, Taiwan’s national myopia rate in 2018 was 63.3%, a 2.4-fold increase from 26.5% in 1986. If left untreated, myopia may progress to high myopia, leading to serious complications and endangering vision. The sharp rise in myopia rates in Taiwan and other East Asian countries is related to children’s “academic pressure.” Spending more time on homework and using electronic devices can worsen myopia.
Dr. Li Yangming, director of Yangming Eye Clinic, said that one of the most common myopia myths in Taiwan is that no matter how high the degree of myopia is, it can be solved by “wearing glasses.” In fact, myopia can cause many complications, such as retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and early-onset cataracts. Therefore, through lifestyle changes and correct treatment methods, especially early intervention, the increase in myopia can be effectively managed and controlled.
Outdoor activities for more than 80 minutes can reduce children’s myopia rate by 50%
Dr. Li Yangming believes that because the symptoms of low-level myopia in children are relatively mild, most parents do not take it seriously, and most of them treat it with a wait-and-see approach to whether their children’s condition will “get better.” However, myopia in children is like chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. If it is not treated and controlled in time, it will only get worse.
Therefore, when the degree of myopia in children is still low, it is necessary to control myopia and prevent it from getting worse. Research shows that an increase in myopia by 100 degrees will increase the prevalence of myopic macular degeneration by 67%; conversely, a decrease in myopia by 100 degrees will reduce the likelihood of developing myopic macular degeneration by 40%. Studies have also shown that spending 80 minutes outdoors during school hours can reduce the annual myopia rate among Taiwanese children aged 7-11 by about 50%.
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However, Dr. Li Yangming also pointed out that although it is important to spend more time outdoors, outdoor activities alone or wearing single vision glasses cannot effectively treat and control myopia. The elongation of the eyeball caused by myopia is the cause of serious complications. Once the eyeball is elongated, it is difficult to recover. Even if you undergo myopia laser surgery when you grow up, it still cannot prevent, reduce or reverse the elongation of the eyeball that causes myopia. Once children develop myopia, treatment methods need to be introduced as early as possible, such as mydriatic agents, daily disposable contact lenses for myopia control, orthokeratology lenses, or glasses for myopia control.
Dr. Li Yangming said that in a 7-year study involving children aged 8 to 17, it was mentioned that children who wore daily disposable contact lenses specifically designed for myopia control in the 6 years before the experiment had an average increase in myopia reduction of approximately 10%. 50%. Although early intervention is considered best, even when older children wear specialized daily disposable contact lenses, their myopia progression tends to be halved.
“Based on the results of this study, from a long-term perspective, we understand that the earlier myopia is detected and treated, the greater the child’s chance of maintaining eye health. It is recommended that even if the child’s visual acuity is 0.7, immediate intervention and treatment should be carried out Control can prevent the child’s condition from worsening and turning into high myopia,” said Dr. Wu Yukai.
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