‘Promising’ solutions for myopia control under study in China, Taiwan

 10-Sep-16, Healio 

The prevalence of myopia in children 5 to 15 years old is increasing worldwide, and researchers are seeking solutions to slow the trend, according to Nina Jacobsen, MD, PhD.

Image: Zeiss

There are complications related to myopia, including increased risk of glaucoma, cataract, retinal detachment and, in the higher degrees, maculopathy, Jacobsen said at the World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Subspecialty Day.

Recent and “promising” ideas for preventing myopia include pharmaceutical intervention, increased outdoor activity and multifocal contact lenses, according to Jacobsen.

"Considerable evidence that children who spend more time outdoors during daylight hours are less likely to be or become myopic has been presented." Studies in Taiwan and China have shown reductions in incident myopia of 25% to 50% when these children spend an additional 40 to 80 minutes outdoors, she said. In Taiwan, an additional 2 hours of outdoor activity time has been added to school programs to address the problem of myopia.

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