Advice for myopia

I have a 4 &1/2 year old son......few months back we noticed that while watching TV he strains his eyes, and he used to watch TV with his head rotated towards the right side i.e. he used to strain on his left eye more in that  particular direction. We went for an eye check-up and was sure that he would be fine but was very shocked to learn that was found myopic with very high nos.          RE : SPH -2.0, V.A. 6/12         LE: SPH -3.0, CYL -0.50, AXIS 10, V.A. 6/18. On his second routine check up doctor found that his vision is less and no: increased in the left eye. He said that we have to wait and watch till he is 6+ yrs to see his condition....and advised regular 3 monthly check-up.   I am myself myopic with -4, but i had my glasses on at the age if 12. My husband has a normal vision.  My concerns are:

1.  Will his myopia never decrease?
2.  Will he turn astigmatic as his left eye is more weak and he strains on it more.
3. Can progressive myopia lead to vision loss?
4. Since i feel my child has inherited from me, could it never be cured or at least brought down to very low numbers?.
5. Is  uneven myopia more dangerous than having same no:s in both eyes, and what are the negative points in that?
6. At this age, is there any special diet regimen that can help him, although i keep him on a very healthy diet?
7. Can certain eye-exercises or eye-yoga help him to some extent?
8. He used to watch TV a lot. Is this one of the main reasons? I have restricted him a lot from seeing but still i want to    
know all other precautionary measures that could be taken for this.

I am really worried regarding my child. He is a good sports player and very active in school. I fear that his myopia doesn't hinder in his progress. I am feeling very helpless about all these questions. Please guide me..

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Good comments. Often amblyopia or strabismus is found with hyperopia or high levels of astigmatism but not as often with myopia.  TV should be OK but some studies suggest excessive near work can lead to an increase in the amount of myopia. Children should learn to take off their glasses when doing near work (FOR MYOPIC PATIENTS) and a few studies have even suggested bifocals for young myopic kids.  It is very important that the RX for glasses is proper and not over minused as this can also lead to progession. In the end, the degree of myopia is mainly genetically determined and unfortunately other that proper glasses, and avoiding prolonged near work, there is not much more you can do.  Find a good pediatric ophthalmologist and that will the best thing you can do to settle your nervousness.  There are millions and millions of myopic people around the world and probably in the future with more advancements, he may not even have to wear glasses by the time he is 20 or 25.  Stay positive.

[AntonReiser]

Hello, I am a fellow myopic who can try to answer your questions.
1. You never know. In most cases myopia increases in childhood.
2. there is not rule for astigmatism.
3. Very high myopia (-16 and worse) can lead to problems with the retina.
4. There is no "cure".
5. Stereo vision is not good. But as soon as he wears spectacles or contacts it'll be okay.
6. No.
7. No.
8. TV is not a problem.
What has been found out in studies was that extensive nearwork leads to higher progression of myopia and outdoor activity lead to less progression.

[Archie726]

Hey thanx a lot for ur suggestion.....In fact had a hint about all these but still was in a hope that may be something could be done. My one more concern is since my son has stereo vision...can it lead to squint eyes?? as the doc said that he should always have to wear sepcs as to avoid having squint eyes?

[AntonReiser]

I don't have experience in the connection of myopia and heterophoria.
But there seem to be an association between both.
So your son needs regular examinations. But you will have him examined anyway.

Don't be too worried! Millions of people are myopic and have a good life!
Myopia is not a disease it's a state of mind.

[Archie726]

Thanx a lot Sir, your suggestions really helped me a lot. I was only worried because of the high numbers he has in such a young age. I am also myopic but when I started wearing glasses (12-yr-old) it was -2 and after 18 years it has progressed to -4 only and in both the eyes its stable. I just hope that my son at least continues with the same no: or very less increase.

Thanx again Sir,

I am a more happy person now!.

Archie726