Myopia, often referred to as short-sightedness, is a common eye condition in which light is focused in front of the retina, resulting in blurred distance vision. People with myopia can often see quite clearly up close but distant objects will be blurred.

If the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye, is too curved or your eye is too long, the light that enters your eye will not focus correctly. Studies of myopia indicate myopia is caused by both hereditary and environmental reasons.

Environmental factors like staying indoors and excessive amounts of close up work are linked to myopia.

Research suggests that children need to preferably spend at least two hours a day outside to help prevent myopia from developing. Looking at screens may not itself cause myopia, but screens are responsible for children spending more time indoors than in previous years.

Ensure your child gets outside and gives their eyes a break from digital devices.

Myopia cannot correct itself or be cured. Myopia does need to be managed. If identified early, more can be done to manage and slow the progression of myopia.

An eye examination from your Optometrist or Ophthalmologist is the only sure way of determining whether your child is short-sighted.

Some symptoms to watch out for include:

• Squinting or screwing up their eyes to see distant objects
• Difficulty reading the board at school
• Lack of interest in playing outdoor games.

There are a range of management options which your Eye Care Professional may utilise to manage your child’s eye condition, such as specially designed contact lenses, spectacle lenses and low dose atropine eye drops.

Your Eye Care Professional will also monitor your child’s condition regularly to evaluate effectiveness of treatment. It is vital for parents to discuss not only how to correct the child’s vision, but also what management options are available to slow the progression of myopia.

Your Eye Care Professional has prescribed Eikance Eye Drops to slow the progression of your child’s myopia.

EIKANCE 0.01% is an eye drop preparation containing atropine sulfate monohydrate (atropine) which delivers atropine directly to the eye. It reduces the rate of unwanted changes in the eye which may slow the progression of myopia.