• Over 20% of your Australian adults are affected by myopia
• It is predicted that 50% of the global population will be short sighted by 2050
• Over 80% of young adults in East Asian cities are affected by myopia
• Excessive reading, digital screens (incl. mobile phones), family history and lack of sun exposure are key risk factors

Although shortsightedness is quite benign and correctable with spectacles and contact lenses, if not treated it usually progresses through puberty and high school. High levels of myopia are associated with an increased risk of sight-threatening problems such as retinal detachment, macula choroidal neovascularisation, cataracts, and glaucoma.

One of the methods we use to slow myopia progression in my practice is low dose Atropine therapy. This is a single eye drop instilled into the child’s eyes at bed-time and this has been shown to slow progression by approximately 50-60% with few risks. The earlier the start of treatment, the better the control.

Please have a look at the interview with Prof Donald Tan who explains how this very simple yet quite powerful treatment works.

https://www.aao.org/interview/atropine-myopia-latest-outcomes