Myopia Management

Myopia is a very common issue throughout the world. Approximately 1/3 of the population in the United States have the condition and over 90% of several East Asian countries suffer from myopia. While myopia may seem like such a common condition that it shouldn’t be cause for concern, it is actually associated with several very serious conditions that can threaten one’s ability to see.
 

What is Myopia

Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is a condition where individuals are able to see objects that are close to them but may have difficulty distinguishing things at a distance, such as road signs or leaves on a tree. These individuals often squint at objects that are further away to try and help bring them into focus. Currently, there is no known cure for myopia and recent studies suggest that the more advanced your myopia gets, the more serious the effects can be on your vision. This has led eye professionals to look for ways to slow the progression of myopia in children and young adults as the eyes typically change more rapidly during this time and slowing down myopia progression during these years has a huge payoff.
 

Types of Myopia Control

There are a few different treatments for myopia that have proven to be effective in a number of studies. The most common cause of childhood myopia and its progression is axial elongation of the eye. This is when the eyeball grows too long from front to back. In general, myopia control works by slowing this elongation.

There are several types of effective myopia control, and they can be used one at a time or in combination. Of course, to ensure you find the most effective choice for you, be sure to visit with your eye doctor so they can review your case and recommend the best options for you.

Ortho-K | Ortho-K or Orthokeratology is one practice being used to slow down the progression of myopia. Ortho-K utilizes a special rigid gas-permeable contact lens that is placed into the eyes just before you go to bed. This hard lens helps to gently hold your eye in the proper shape throughout the night. Then when you wake up in the morning and remove the lenses, your eye continues to maintain that shape. This means that people who are nearsighted can see clearly throughout the day, even without wearing contact lenses or glasses. Research has shown that orthokeratology helps to reduce the elongation of the eye over time, which can help reduce the advancement of childhood myopia. This approach is often preferred for athletes or other active individuals.

Atropine Eye Drops |Atropine eye drops relax the focusing muscles inside the eye and are used for a variety of different eye conditions. The use of atropine for myopia control was initially based on the hypothesis that eye fatigue was a factor in myopia. However, later studies pointed to a different answer. They found that atropine likely works due to its effect on receptors in the retina and other parts of the eye.  Research shows that low-dose atropine eye drops (0.05%) can slow progression for over three years. This can have a large impact if children use the drops during the peak years of myopia progression. 
 
Multifocal Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses |Myopia control contact lenses are soft multifocal contacts that are to be worn during the day, and are very different from the lenses that correct myopia Myopia control contact lenses have different focusing power in different zones. They have full focusing power in the center but less power around the periphery. These lower-power areas ensure that all light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina.This is called peripheral myopic defocus. Research shows that focusing light in front of the retina in this way can help stop the eye from growing longer. In fact, myopia control contact lenses can slow myopia progression by up to 59%.
 

Overview

If you notice that your child is having a difficult time seeing objects that are far away, contact us today to schedule an appointment. Many parents notice changes in their children with their behavior or grades at school, their ability to play sports, or that they may even be pulling back from playing with friends. Treating myopia as quickly as possible can help to reduce your child’s chances of developing a serious eye condition that can threaten their ability to see the world around them. Call today and schedule an appointment to see how we can help your child.