Parents with children who have myopia – or nearsightedness – can take advantage of a free workshop next week to learn about preventative and treatment options that can help slow its progression.
The workshop is being hosted by Dr. Tom Wilk with Mountain View Optometry and sponsored by CooperVision.
Wilk said the workshop is topical as myopia is on the rise with around two billion people worldwide having the condition. That accounts for approximately 30 per cent of the global population.
"We think it is going to increase to about 50 per cent of the population by 2050," he said.
Though the condition has a genetic component, Wilk said there are environmental factors as well.
"It does relate to genetics and screen time use of computer devices which has escalated in the last decade," he said.
While Wilk said Myopia can't be stopped, slowing its progression is important to improved quality of life as people age and reducing the risk of serious eye disease.
"Current research says we can slow down progression by as much as 50 per cent," he said, adding that the risk of conditions such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration (MMD) and cataracts – which can all lead to vision loss – increases exponentially with the level of myopia.
For example he said the risk of MMD is two times higher for those with a glasses prescription of -2 and 126 times higher for those with a prescription of -8.
"So we're certainly compelled to offer these therapies," said Wilk.
Treatments vary depending on the individual, as do results, but Wilk said they include specially designed eyeglasses and contact lenses, eye drops or a combination.
As for prevention, Wilk said preventative measures include spending less time doing near activities – such as reading or screen time – outside of school hours and spending more time outdoors.
"A study of 3,000 children showed those who spent two hours outside daily had less progression," said Wilk adding screen time and near activities should be limited to under three hours a day.
The workshop will be held at the Legion from 7 to 8 p.m on Tuesday, May 14. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Mountain View Optometry at 403-851-2020 or [email protected]
