Myopia generally increases in severity throughout childhood and higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risk of sight-threatening complications later in life (eg, myopic macular degeneration and retinal detachment) [9]. Strategies to prevent or slow the progression of myopia include the following [10]:
●Antimuscarinic eye drops — Several randomized trials have demonstrated topical antimuscarinic agents (eg, atropine, pirenzepine) are effective in slowing the progression of myopia in children [10-14]. This treatment is widely used in Asia; however, it is less commonly prescribed in the United States. In our practice, we offer low-dose atropine as an option to attempt to reduce progression in selected patients with myopia, particularly those with progressive myopia on two or more examinations and those who have a strong desire to start a preventive treatment.
●Multifocal lenses — In randomized controlled trials, multifocal lenses (either bifocal or progressive) have yielded a small effect in slowing of myopia progression [10].
●Outdoor activity — Increasing time spent outdoors is a simple strategy to reduce the risk of developing myopia and/or slow its progression, and is supported by a number of observational studies and clinical trials [15-19]. In a cluster randomized trial of 1913 school children (mean age of 6.6 years) in China randomized (by school) to an additional daily 40-minute outdoor class or usual activity, the cumulative incidence rate of myopia over three years was lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (30 versus 40 percent) [19].