Prevention / Treatment of childhood myopia
Myopia cannot be reversed or cured, but it can be slowed or prevented :
Practising good eye care habits is one of the best ways to prevent myopia in your child. While near work (such as school work, working on computers or reading) is unavoidable, ensure that your child takes frequent breaks to rest his/ her eyes.
Glasses can correct myopia.
The Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) has successfully conducted clinical trials* to investigate the progression of childhood myopia with the use of atropine eye drops.
*(Atropine in the Treatment of Myopia (ATOM) Study)
Practise these good eye care habits :
- Have your child participate in more outdoor activities
- Hold any reading material 30 cm away from the face/eyes and always read while sitting upright
- Be seated at least two metre away when watching television
- Computer screens should be placed approximately 50 cm away from eyes and adjusted for minimal glare
- Lighting should be sufficient to illuminate the room when reading, using the computer or watching television without causing any glare
- Take a break to rest your eyes every 30 to 40 minutes. Look out of the window at distant objects to relax the eyes.