5 things a person can do to prevent nearsightedness from worsening
Nearsightedness, also called myopia, can change over time. Learn ways to help slow it down and how eye care providers can help.
Nearsightedness is a common eye condition that makes it hard to see things far away. It usually starts in childhood and can get worse over time. Luckily, there are steps that may help slow it down. Here are five simple ways to help keep vision from changing too fast. These include good habits and regular eye exams.
What is nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness, or myopia, happens when the eye grows too long from front to back, or when the cornea is too curved.1 This makes light focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
This condition can make distant signs or other far away objects look blurry. But people with a mild or moderate stage of this condition can usually see things up close, like books or phones.
Often, myopia begins during childhood and can continue to change as a person grows.1 But even in adults, nearsightedness can get worse over time and lead to other problems such as:2
That’s why taking steps to help slow down changes in vision can be a smart move, especially for kids or teens whose eyes are still developing.
5 things that may help slow down nearsightedness
Research shows that a few healthy habits and treatment options may help reduce the risk of worsening myopia. These can be part of everyday life and may support better eye health long-term.
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1. Avoid reading or working in dim light
Spending a lot of time focusing on close-up tasks may lead to more eye strain, especially in low lighting. This includes reading, drawing and texting.
Using bright, even lighting can help the eyes work less hard. Taking breaks during near work also gives the eyes a chance to relax and refocus.
2. Limit screentime on digital devices
Too much screen time, especially close to the eye, may cause myopia.3 This is especially true for children. Watching screens for a long time can make your eyes tired. You may also spend less time looking at the distance.
Whenever possible, it helps to follow the 20-20-20 rule. This means every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.4
3. Quit smoking
Smoking has been linked to several vision problems, including cataracts and macular degeneration. Some studies also suggest that smoking may increase the risk of changes in the shape of the eye, which can affect myopia.
Quitting smoking may support better overall eye health and slow down some of the changes that come with aging.
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4. Spend more time outdoors
Spending time outside, especially in natural sunlight, may help protect against myopia in kids and teens. Outdoor time encourages the eyes to focus at longer distances, which can help reduce eye strain from close-up activities.
Experts recommend aiming for at least 1 to 2 hours of outdoor time per day, when possible.5
5. Consider low-dose atropine eye drops (for kids)
In some cases, an eye care provider may recommend low-dose atropine eye drops for children with progressing myopia. These drops don’t correct vision like glasses, but they may help slow the eye’s growth over time.6
This treatment is often used along with other strategies, like glasses or special contact lenses.
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6. Consider contact lens options for myopia management
Contact lenses are a popular option to help slow down how fast nearsightedness gets worse, especially in kids and teens. There are two main types used for myopia management:
- Ortho-K lenses. These contacts are worn overnight to gently reshape the eye.
- Special soft contact lenses. This type is worn during the day to help manage eye growth.
Keep in mind contact lenses don’t cure myopia, but they may help protect long-term vision.
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How regular eye exams can help
Routine eye exams are one of the best ways to track changes in vision. For people with myopia, an annual exam helps the eye care provider:
- Check for changes in prescription
- Monitor eye growth in children
- Look for early signs of other eye conditions
- Recommend treatment or lifestyle changes
If the current glasses or contact lens prescription is no longer working well, it may be time for an update. Keeping the right prescription helps ensure clear vision and reduces eye strain.
Sources:
- Myopia (nearsightedness). American Optometric Association
- Nearsightedness. Mayo Clinic, April 19, 2024
- All about screen time and close up work. MyKidsVision
- 20/20/20 To Prevent Digital Eye Strain. American Optometric Association
- All about outdoor time. MyKidsVision
- Atropine eye drops for myopia control in children. MyKidsVision
