In the past, there have been numerous claims of treatments to prevent myopia, which causes blurred distance vision as illustrated in the image above, with none having been shown to be effective.
Another common method was to avoid wearing myopia correcting spectacles. I recall a patient many years ago who ceased wearing spectacles for a period of six months. At the end of the period there was no change in his level of myopia.
There was one ancient Chinese method which did result in a short-term reduction in myopia. This involved placing small weighted sandbags on the eyelids while the subject slept. This did change the shape of the eye temporally improving vision. However, as soon as the practice ceased, the myopia returned to the previous level.
Genetics play a central role with Asians being more prone to myopia, as is evident with a number of ethnic Chinese wearing spectacles, while Caucasians and Africans are less susceptible. However, increased screen time has been shown to promote myopia in all groups while time in outdoor sunlight has been shown to slow development.
This can be achieved by Ortho K contact lenses which are worn overnight permitting clear vision during the day without the use of any aid. Specially designed soft contact lenses and spectacle lenses are another alternative.
While clinicians had anecdotal evidence that wearing rigid contact lenses reduced the progression of myopia, during the past 25 years there have been numerous research projects which have confirmed that myopia development in young people can be significantly reduced by blurring peripheral vision while retaining clear functional vision.
This can be achieved by Ortho K contact lenses which are worn overnight permitting clear vision during the day without the use of any aid. Specially designed soft contact lenses and spectacle lenses are another alternative. Low-dose atropine eyedrops which have a minimal effect on vision have also been shown to be effective.
Reducing the level of myopia not only enhances vision but also reduces the likelihood of retinal detachment, glaucoma and a specific type of macular degeneration.
