What Causes Myopia In Children?
Although
the exact reason why some children become nearsighted and others do not is not
fully understood, it appears heredity is a factor, but not the only one.
In
other words, if both parents are nearsighted, there is a greater risk their
children will be nearsighted, too. But you can't predict who will become
nearsighted by simply looking at their family tree.
In
my case, my parents and both my older brothers had perfect vision. I'm the only
one in the family who is nearsighted. Go figure.
I
loved to read when I was a kid (still do); my brothers, not so much. Some
researchers think focusing fatigue from excessive reading or holding a book too
close to your eyes for extended periods can increase the risk for myopia in
children. But nobody knows for sure.
The
cause (or causes) of myopia may remain a mystery, but researchers recently have
discovered something about the progression of nearsightedness that is very
interesting: conventional glasses and contact lenses that have been prescribed
for years to correct myopia may actually increase the risk of myopia worsening
throughout childhood!
Many
of these same researchers are investigating new lens designs to see if they can
develop contact lenses or eyeglasses that can control myopia and halt or slow
the progression of nearsightedness in children.
What Is Amblopia (lazy eye)?
Amblyopia Signs and Symptoms