Is Myopia In Kids Preventable? (Part 1/2)

Can You Prevent Myopia In Kids?
Parents guilty of passing on the myopia genes should not fret since they can play a role in controlling their children’s myopia

By Jessie Kok | Reprinted with permission from Today’s Parents

SARAH and Sean Ng were diagnosed with severe myopia by their optometrist at the age of four. The cute sight of the siblings in round, tortoise-shaped spectacles gradually turned into a source of concern for their parents, who noted the dangers their visually challenged children were facing.

“We took our children’s good vision for granted until Sarah’s optometrist told us about her severe myopia,” says Kevan Ng, the sibling’s father, who is himself short-sighted. “After a while, it became even more essential to childproof our home. Even telephone wires became hazardous with two little active blind moles around the house.”

Kevan’s case is not uncommon in Singapore. According to Capitol Optical, surveys done every three to five years show that the rate of children with myopia in Singapore is increasing. Myopia affects 25 percent of seven-year-olds, 50 percent of 12-year-olds and 80 percent of 18-year-olds on the island.

“Genetics cannot be controlled,” says Dr Gerard Chuah, Senior Eye Surgeon of Total Eyecare Centre at Camden Medical Centre, who notes the myopic risks in children are in proportion to genetics. “If one parent has myopia, the child would have a higher risk of myopia. If both parents are myopic, the risk becomes even higher for the child.”

Apart from genetic factors as in the Ng family’s case, Chew Wai Kwong, Professional Affairs Manager and Chief Optometrist at Capitol Optical, also believes that environmental factors play a part.

“Our gene pool and ethnic make up have not changed much in the past 40 years, and it is widely accepted now that the amount of time spent on near work and the computer, which now starts at a very young age, does have a direct influence on the development of myopia,” he says.

Parents guilty of passing on the myopia genes should not fret since they can play a role in controlling their children’s myopia.

But ignore the “looking at green objects” advice, since according to Dr Chuah, it serves no scientific purpose in controlling myopia. We look at the five most commonly asked questions posed to eyecare experts below.

Click here to read Part 2: Doctors answer FAQs on myopia

Source: Is Myopia In Kids Preventable? (Part 1/2)