Myopia is common in school-aged children, particularly between 7 and 12 years old. However, some children, like your son, can develop myopia much earlier, even congenitally. Without proper care or correctly prescribed glasses, the condition can worsen rapidly and lead to serious complications.

Severe myopia, defined as over 6 diopters, often leads to structural changes in the eye. These changes include an elongated eyeball axis and a thinned retina, significantly increasing the risk of retinal tears or detachment. Early-onset myopia can also cause amblyopia, or "lazy eye," especially if there is a large difference in prescription between the two eyes or if corrective lenses are unsuitable. In the long term, this raises the risk of macular degeneration, glaucoma, and even blindness.

Children with early myopia often struggle with distant vision, making it difficult to keep up with schoolwork, such as copying notes from the board. Even with corrective lenses, severe myopia (over 6 diopters) may prevent them from achieving optimal visual acuity.

Doctor Huy examines a boy's eyes. Illustration photo: Tam Anh General Hospital.

Doctor Huy examines a boy's eyes. Illustration photo: Tam Anh General Hospital.

Several factors contribute to early myopia in children. Prolonged and continuous use of electronic devices without adequate eye breaks is a significant cause. Lack of outdoor activity, which limits the eyes' exposure to natural light, also plays a role. Other contributing factors include incorrect study posture, using desks and chairs that are not height-appropriate, reading or writing at excessively close distances (under 30-35 cm), insufficient lighting, and genetic predisposition.

To prevent myopia from worsening rapidly, parents should limit their child's continuous use of electronic devices, ensuring regular eye breaks every 30 minutes. It is crucial to maintain correct posture, use suitable furniture, ensure adequate lighting, and keep an appropriate distance when reading or writing. A diet rich in eye-healthy foods, such as carrots, spinach, salmon, bell peppers, and walnuts, which provide vitamins A, C, E, and zinc, should also be encouraged.

Regular eye examinations are essential. Parents should take their children for check-ups every six months at ophthalmology departments in hospitals to ensure glasses are correctly prescribed and adjusted. Various methods are available to control myopia progression: specialized lens designs, nocturnal orthokeratology contact lenses (which reshape the cornea overnight), vision training, and certain supportive medications. For individuals 18 years and older who meet specific criteria, refractive surgery may be an option.

Doctor of First Degree Specialization Nguyen Duc Huy

High-tech Eye Center

Tam Anh General Clinic District 7