Myopia Management: Lifestyle Changes and Vision Therapy for Children and Adults

April 21, 2023

Do you or your child have trouble focusing on distant objects? It is possible that your youngster squints to see clearly or struggles to see the board in class. If so, your child may have myopia, also known as nearsightedness. Millions of individuals around the world have myopia. There are several alternatives available to manage it, which is excellent news.

What Is Myopia, and Why Is It Important to Manage?

Myopia impairs vision, making seeing objects in the distance difficult. It happens when the cornea is excessively curved or too long. This prevents light rays from properly focusing on the retina. 

The effect is that distant things appear hazy. Optical devices, contact lenses, and refractive surgery can help treat myopia. Still, it is best to manage it properly to avoid problems like cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.

Lifestyle Changes for Myopia Management

Several lifestyle changes can help manage myopia in both children and adults. One of the most effective is spending more time outdoors. According to studies, youngsters who spend more time outdoors are less likely to develop myopia or see it progress. Experts believe outdoor activities expose the eyes to natural light and reduce near work.

Reducing near work is another lifestyle change that can help manage myopia. Too much near-work—like reading, writing, or using electronic devices—can lead to eyestrain and increase myopia progression. Experts recommend the 20-20-20 rule. This calls for taking a 20-second break after 20 minutes of screen time to stare at anything 20 feet away.

Proper nutrition is also essential for managing myopia. Omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, and veggies can support healthy eye development. In turn, this can lessen the chance of myopia advancement. Avoiding processed and sugary foods can also aid in preventing obesity, which increases the risk of myopia.

Vision Therapy for Myopia Management

Vision therapy is a nonsurgical treatment option for managing myopia. It entails several exercises and tasks intended to achieve the following:
 

• Boost your eye muscles

• Boost eye-hand coordination

• Improve the brain's capacity for processing visual data

Several types of vision therapy can help manage myopia.

Orthokeratology

Ortho-k is a treatment option involving special contact lenses that reshape the cornea's curvature at night. The lenses gently apply pressure to the cornea, temporarily changing its shape. This allows the eye to focus correctly on distant objects during the day. Ortho-k can also slow myopia progression and is helpful for mild to moderate myopia.

Multifocal Contact Lenses

These are other types of vision therapy that can help manage myopia. These lenses have different zones that provide varying levels of magnification. This allows the eyes to focus on both near and far objects. Studies show that multifocal contact lenses can slow myopia progression in young people.

Eye Exercises for Myopia Management

Eye exercises can help strengthen the eye muscles and improve eye coordination. This can lead to improved vision and reduced myopia progression. Examples of eye exercises include focusing on a distant object, tracking moving objects, and practicing convergence. 

Conclusion

Myopia is a common condition impacting daily activities and overall quality of life. While glasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgery can correct myopia, managing it through lifestyle changes and vision therapy can help slow its progression and improve visual skills.

For more on myopia management, visit Eye Associates of New York at our New York, New York office. Call (212) 650-4888 to schedule an appointment today.