Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is an eye condition in which children can see near objects clearly but distant objects appear blurry. As myopia progresses, the blurriness may become noticeable even at close distances.
Myopia usually appears before the age of 10. Normally, the eyes grow slowly and steadily until adolescence, after which growth stops. In myopia, however, the eyeball grows faster than normal during childhood and adolescence, leading to progressive worsening of vision. This process is called myopia progression and can sometimes continue into young adulthood.
Myopia in children not only blurs distance vision but is also a progressive condition. Since children’s eyes continue to grow, myopia generally worsens with age. Myopia that begins at a younger age can progress more rapidly.
Progressive Vision Impairment: Myopia in childhood and adolescence usually increases every year. This can make it difficult for a child to see the board in class, participate in sports activities, and carry out daily tasks.
Risk of Eye Diseases in Adulthood: Myopia does not only affect childhood. Individuals with high myopia have an increased risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts.
For this reason, myopia should not be seen as a simple vision problem corrected only with glasses. Regular eye examinations are very important to monitor myopia progression and reduce potential risks.
Myopia is most commonly corrected with glasses or contact lenses, which help clarify the child’s vision. Certain special lenses and special contact lenses available abroad can also slow the progression of myopia. For this reason, it is very important that children diagnosed with myopia are regularly monitored by a pediatric ophthalmologist.
Myopia is a common vision problem in children and can progress if it begins at an early age. Regular eye examinations allow both the degree of myopia to be monitored and an appropriate treatment plan to be made.
👉 If you notice signs of myopia in your child, it is recommended to consult a pediatric ophthalmologist in Ankara for a comprehensive eye examination.