Medical professionals are exploring innovative solutions to address a growing vision issue affecting children and teenagers.

Myopia, officially known as nearsightedness, is a condition where nearby objects are seen clearly, while distant objects appear blurry, explains David Berntsen, a professor of optometry and chair of clinical sciences at the University of Houston College of Optometry. Though increased screen exposure might be a factor, there’s no conclusive evidence linking them together.

Traditionally, correcting myopia involved prescribing glasses or standard contact lenses. However, Berntsen and his research team investigated the potential of multifocal contact lenses to slow down the progression of this condition.

Myopia develops when the eye’s shape causes light rays to converge in front of the retina, rather than directly on it. The retina, located at the back of the eye, transforms light into electrical signals that the brain interprets as images, as explained by the Mayo Clinic.

This issue usually surfaces during childhood. Infants are naturally farsighted, but their vision typically improves as they grow. For children with myopia, the eye develops excessively, causing it to surpass the optimal focus point.

In Berntsen’s study, almost 300 children aged 7 to 11 were randomly assigned to wear either standard single-vision contact lenses or multifocal lenses. After three years, those wearing multifocal lenses demonstrated the slowest increase in myopia progression and eye growth, as reported in a recent article published in JAMA Ophthalmology. Notably, these advantages continued even after they stopped using multifocal lenses.

This could be a promising method for slowing the advancement of myopia in children, Berntsen indicated, especially as the issue seems to be worsening among youth in the U.S.

The incidence of myopia in the U.S. has surged dramatically over the past five decades, rising from 25% in the 1970s to about 42% in 2017, according to the National Eye Institute. The organization projects that by 2050, half of the global population may be nearsighted.

Myopia impacts roughly 5% of preschool-aged children, 9% of those in school, and 30% of teenagers in the U.S., according to HealthyChildren.org, a parenting resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Research from China suggests that myopia prevalence may have increased among children due to remote learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The findings on why this increase is happening are inconsistent. Some studies connect the rise in cases to increased screen time and decreased outdoor activity, but Berntsen noted that other substantial studies have not established this correlation.

“There isn’t a clear answer as to why,” he stated. “A significant amount of research is being conducted to understand the reasons behind it.”

Members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine mentioned in a September report that nearsightedness is an “evolving epidemic” that requires additional investigation, standardization of treatment, and proactive measures.

Another method to help prevent myopia from worsening involves the use of low-dose atropine eye drops, which are commonly used to dilate pupils during eye examinations, according to HealthyChildren.org.

Berntsen pointed out that research has shown that outdoor activity can help protect against myopia. Young, developing eyes may gain advantages from exposure to natural light at various wavelengths, distant viewing, and appreciating broad landscapes.

“Spending a couple of hours outdoors each day is a great practice, not only for preventing myopia but also for overall health,” Berntsen added.

contributed to Adrianna Rodriguez