[KoK! Health] To Prevent Progression of 'High Myopia,' Start Prevention from Ages 7 to 9

Preventive Treatment with Dream Lens Wear and Atropine Use

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Myopia progresses rapidly at the young age of 7 to 9 years old. If appropriate treatment is not provided during this period, it can easily lead to high myopia. High myopia causes retinal degeneration, weakening of optic nerve function, and increases the risk of retinal detachment and glaucoma. Recently, as treatments to suppress myopia progression in children have been actively implemented, interest in their effectiveness and methods has grown. Treatments to maximally prevent pediatric myopia patients from progressing to high myopia include atropine and Dream lenses.

Both atropine and Dream lenses are preventive treatments for myopia progression, so they are known to be most effective when applied during the most active myopia progression period of ages 7 to 9. The effectiveness of both treatments decreases from around age 12, when myopia progression slows down. There is no specific age restriction for wearing Dream lenses, but since a certain amount of sleep time is required, they are often used during elementary school years when sufficient sleep can be ensured.

Atropine is an eye drop that suppresses the growth of the eyeball length, thereby slowing the progression of myopia. Depending on the concentration, it is administered daily or 2 to 3 times a week, and in some cases, applying it once before bedtime can be effective depending on the eye condition. Recent studies have shown that low-concentration 0.05% atropine is the most effective in terms of treatment effect and safety. Since December 2020, low-concentration atropine eye drops, which can be prescribed from age 4, have been approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and are in use.

Dream lenses are special contact lenses worn during sleep that reshape the cornea to correct myopia and astigmatism. Unlike regular lenses, the center part is flatter than the periphery, pressing the central cornea during sleep to reduce its refractive power. After wearing them overnight, normal vision can be achieved the next day, allowing daily life without glasses, and when used during childhood and adolescence, they can slow myopia progression.

The advantage of atropine is that it is easier to use compared to Dream lenses since it only requires eye drops as needed. However, unlike Dream lenses, atropine does not correct vision, so glasses or contact lenses are still needed during the day, and consistent monitoring of effectiveness is necessary. Missing doses can reduce effectiveness, so careful attention is required. Side effects such as glare or blurred vision may occur, and these side effects tend to persist as long as the medication is used.

The advantage of Dream lenses is that they do not cause side effects such as near vision deterioration or glare that may occur with atropine, and their vision correction effect eliminates the need for glasses, making them convenient. However, their myopia suppression effect may be less than that of atropine. Additionally, they must be worn for about 8 hours daily, and due to the nature of hard lenses, an adaptation period is needed, which may make them less convenient than atropine.

Sometimes, both treatments are used together. If the effect of Dream lenses is insufficient, atropine can be added. Since abruptly stopping either treatment can cause a rapid progression of myopia known as the 'rebound effect,' patients and guardians should avoid discontinuing treatment arbitrarily.

Kim Dae-hee, a specialist at Kim Eye Hospital’s Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmology Center, explained, "Suppressing myopia progression requires active attention from guardians during the growth period when myopia progresses rapidly. If atropine and Dream lenses are chosen, selecting the appropriate method through sufficient consultation and allowing the child enough time to adapt will effectively prevent vision deterioration."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.