Rationale:
Unlike other parts of the world, Norway has a low and stable prevalence of myopia. Treatments such as orthokeratology (night lenses) or atropine eye drops are evidence-based but also invasive, and should be reserved for selected children and adolescents (e.g., with a family history or early onset of myopia), following thorough discussion with parents and under close follow-up. Increased outdoor activity and reduced screen time, on the other hand, are simple and effective preventive measures that can be recommended for all children and adolescents.
References:
- Ang et al. Review: Myopia control strategies recommendations from the 2018 WHO/IAPB/BHVI Meeting on myopia. Br J Ophthalmol 2020;104:1482-1487.
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Falkenberg HK, Langaas T, Svarverud E. Vision status of children aged 7-15 years referred from school vision screening in Norway during 2003-2013: a retrospective study. BMC Ophthalmology 2019;19:180
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Hagen LA, Gjelle JVB, Arnegard S, Pedersen HR, Gilson SJ, Baraas RC. Prevalence and possible factors of myopia in Norwegian adolescents. Sci Rep 2018;8:13479
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Sandfeld L, Weihrauch H, Tubæk G, Mortzos P. Ophthalmological data on 4.5- to 7-year-old Danish children. Acta Ophthalmol 2018;96:379-383