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When your child has vision problems, it can be challengingto make their life easier. There is plenty of conflicting advice online aboutwhat parents should do. However, as eyecare specialists who deal with complexocular conditions, we find that it’s best when a child has a myopia-friendlylearning environment in their own home. Let’s review the most important aspectsto keep in mind after learning that your child has myopia.
Understanding Myopia
Myopia is commonly referred to as nearsightedness.It occurs in children when their eyeballs are oval-shaped instead of round.When the eyeball is elongated from front to back, light entering the eye fallsshort of the retina, making distant objects appear blurry. Myopia starts in childhoodor adolescence and gradually progresses until early adulthood.
Children typically don’t have the words to explainthat their vision is blurred, but they may display some of the common signs ofmyopia. You will notice that your child rubs their eyes frequently, squintsoften, regularly complains of headaches, and struggles to participate in class.If you suspect that your child has myopia, see an eyecare practitioner as soonas possible.
The Importance ofa Myopia-Friendly Home
If yourchild has been diagnosed with myopia (nearsightedness), making a few changes athome can help protect their vision and support their learning. Amyopia-friendly space is designed to reduce eye strain and make it easier foryour child to focus on schoolwork without added visual stress. Simpleadjustments, like improving lighting, encouraging outdoor play, and limitingscreen time, can make a big difference in helping your child feel comfortableand stay on track with their development.
It’s also essential to create a space that helpswith myopia management. Managing the progression of myopia is critical for thelong-term health of your child’s eyes. Uncontrolled myopia can cause seriousissues later in life, such as macular degeneration and glaucoma. There are alsoseveral treatments, including atropine eyedrops, daytime multifocal lenses, andcorneal reshaping lenses that can slow myopia progression and protect yourchild’s ocular health.
Creating aMyopia-Friendly Environment
When your child gets home from school, they shouldhave a sanctuary where they can do their homework calmly and recharge for thenext day. There are several ways to adapt your home to better suit your child’svision challenges. Even children using eyedrops or specialty lenses need alifestyle and day-to-day environment that supports myopia management.
Adequate Lighting
When a child engages in activities like homework,reading, and coloring, it’s crucial to have proper lighting, as straining tosee in low light can put additional stress on the eyes. Natural light is alwaysbest, so keep the curtains open whenever possible. When it gets dark, lightingbecomes even more important, as there is no ambient lighting for the eyes toabsorb, causing further strain. Use adjustable lamps to eliminate dark spots,shadows, and glare.
FacilitateOutdoor Time
Sunlightplays a key role in keeping your child’s eyes healthy. Spending time outdoorsand focusing on objects at different distances can support medical treatmentsfor myopia. Natural light helps control how quickly the eyeball grows;specifically, it can slow down the abnormal elongation that causes myopia toworsen. Without regular exposure to sunlight, myopia can progress more quickly,increasing the risk of developing high myopia, which is linked to serious eyeconditions later in life.
Limit Screen Time
With screens present in every home, it’sunderstandable that many parents rely on TVs, tablets, and smartphones to occupytheir children. However, extended screen time can be detrimental to eyedevelopment. Prolonged, passive use of digital devices can cause eye strain,which may worsen myopia and disrupt healthy eye development.
Schools often require the use of computers forassignments and virtual learning, so parents must find a balance between theirchildren’s academic needs and the protection of their eye health. Incorporatinghealthy habits, such as the 20-20-20 rule, can be highly beneficial. Afterevery 20 minutes of screen time, have your child look at something 20 feet awayfor at least 20 seconds to reduce eye fatigue.
For young children, particularly those between twoand five years old, it’s best to limit screen time to no more than one hour perday. When you do let them watch TV, choose high-quality, age-appropriateprogramming. As children grow, it’s reasonable to become more flexible withscreen time limits, but you must maintain boundaries with screens to slowmyopia progression and support eye health.
Focus onNutrition
A well-balanced diet can have a significant impacton ocular health. Foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fattyacids, play a crucial role in maintaining healthy vision. Consider adding leafygreens, carrots, citrus fruits, nuts, and fish to your family’s daily meals.Hydration is also essential, so encourage your child to drink water and limitthe availability of sugary drinks to support eye health.
Safeguard YourChild’s Long-Term Eye Health
If your child is struggling with myopia or yoususpect that they may be nearsighted, schedule a comprehensive eye exam at MiamiContact Lens Institute. Our expert eyecare practitioners will help you find theperfect myopia management method and explain how you can keep your child’s eyessafe.
