Medication Can Slow Nearsightedness in Kids

A daily dose of a medication called pirenzepine can slow the rate of progressive nearsightedness, or myopia, in children, reports a study in the August issue of the Journal of AAPOS (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus). Nearsightedness is an eye problem that causes objects at a distance to be blurry. A nearsighted person can clearly see objects that are close to them, but has a hard time focusing on objects that are far away. Myopia tends to worsen over time in many children.

In the study, nearsighted children were randomly assigned to treatment with pirenzepine gel or an inactive placebo gel. After a year, the average increase in myopia was significantly less for children using pirenzepine. More studies will be needed before pirenzepine can be recommended for children, including research for long-term effects, length of treatment and optimal methods of drug administration.

Related:

• Basics of Nearsightedness
• Video: Are You Nearsighted?
• Controlling Myopia

_{Image © David Sacks / Getty Images}

_Source:

Elsevier, Medication Slows Progression Of Myopia In Children. Medical News Today, 28 Aug 2008.