How Can India Keep An Eye On Its Myopia Progression And Tips To Prevent It

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, has become a significant public health concern in India in recent years. Susceptibility to myopia is determined by genetics and environment, with the most common risk factors including patient age, parental myopia, recent eye growth, increased screen time and spending less time outdoors. Dr Barman explains the risk factors associated with myopia progression Younger age of onset of myopia High baseline myopia Parents having myopia Increase of glass power more than 0.50 every year Less outdoor activities or more near work or digital screen time Decreased vitamin D levels Management of myopia progression Narayanan adds, “The way forward requires real change based on a multidisciplinary approach through collaboration and conversation with key stakeholders – parents, Ophthalmologist and Eyecare practitioners. Key actions include driving awareness on the importance of vision correction and vision protection, dedicated campaigns to educate consumers about regular eye testing, regulate screen time in young children and inculcating healthy lifestyle habits with times outdoors.” We also need to be more proactive about educating all eye-care professionals through expert-to-expert knowledge sharing on vision science and patient needs to help understand how to best manage the challenges of this critical visual health condition. All children must undergo a proper dilated refraction and must continue to do so every 6 months in the first 2 years and then annually till about 6-7 years of age or whenever there are symptoms of eye strain and poor distance vision.” Medical treatments which can slow down the progression of myopia include instillation of low-dose atropine eye drops and specialized designed spectacle lenses with peripheral myopic defocus segments.