What causes my sister's eye prescription to keep increasing and how can we prevent it? - #29711

Hello

Aapki sister ka number (-6) aur har saal badhna high/progressive myopia ka sign hai. Iska main reason aankh ka length (eyeball) zyada badhna hota hai, jisse image retina ke aage focus hoti hai.

1. Number badhne ke reasons: Genetics (family history), zyada near work (mobile/laptop/reading), outdoor activity kam hona, aur bachpan/teenage me fast eye growth—ye sab common causes hain.

2. Isko rokne/slow karne ke tarike: Complete stop karna mushkil hota hai, lekin progression slow ki ja sakti hai: Outdoor time badhao (roz ~2 ghante natural light me), Har 20 min screen ke baad 20 sec door dekho (20-20-20 rule), Proper lighting me padhna, Book/mobile bahut paas se use na karein.

3. Glasses vs contact lenses: Dono safe hain. Glasses easy aur low-risk hain. Contact lenses convenient hote hain lekin hygiene maintain karna zaroori hai. Choice comfort aur lifestyle pe depend karti hai.

4. Special myopia control lenses: Haan, special lenses kaafi helpful hote hain—jaise peripheral defocus lenses ya orthokeratology (night lenses). Toric lenses sirf astigmatism ke liye hote hain, myopia control ke liye nahi.

5. Medicines/eye drops: Low-dose Atropine drops (0.01%–0.05%) scientifically proven hain myopia progression slow karne ke liye, doctor ke supervision me use kiye jate hain.

6. Screen & lifestyle changes: Screen time limit karo, frequent breaks lo, outdoor sports encourage karo, proper posture aur distance maintain karo.

7. LASIK future me: LASIK tab consider karte hain jab number stable ho jaye (kam se kam 1–2 saal tak change na ho), usually 18–21 saal ke baad. -6 par LASIK possible hota hai, lekin cornea thickness check karna zaroori hota hai.

Important: Regular eye check-up (6–12 months) bahut zaroori hai, kyunki high myopia me retina related risks bhi hote hain.

Agar aap chahein toh main aapke liye ek simple daily routine plan bana sakta hoon jo number control me help kare.

Take care

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is largely genetic, but environmental factors contribute too. The progressive increase in your sister’s prescription could be due to prolonged near work—like reading or screen time—and less outdoor activity, which has been shown to have a protective effect. But, pinpointing one cause isn’t straightforward, as it’s a combo of genes and environment. To potentially slow this progression, regular comprehensive eye exams are critical. Treatment-wise, specific lenses like myopia control lenses, including orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses, can indeed help slow myopia progression. These are specialized lenses that reshape the cornea temporarily or alter peripheral vision focus. Glasses and contact lenses correct vision but generally don’t slow myopia. Full-time wear is usually recommended to ensure clarity and prevent excessive squinting. Consider discussing with an eye specialist about these options, as they require fitting and ongoing follow-up. In terms of medications, low-dose atropine eye drops have shown promise in some kids and teens to slow progression. They’re generally safe but need careful monitoring because of potential side effects. Regarding lifestyle, encouraging regular breaks during prolonged screen use—like the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds)—can reduce eye strain. More time outdoors, ideally 1–2 hours daily, is beneficial due to natural light exposure. Finally, about LASIK, it can be a safe and effective option, but generally once the prescription has stabilized, usually after age 18. Your sister would need a thorough evaluation to determine suitability. Given myopia can increase in the late teens, waiting until stability is critical. It would be best to have ongoing consultations with an ophthalmologist to tailor the most appropriate interventions for her specific needs and keep an eye on any change that might need immediate addressing.