Myopia Management

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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.

Increased myopia leads to a higher risk of developing serious eye diseases later in life, such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataracts, and myopic macular degeneration.   

As myopia progresses, the eye elongates, which can strain the retina and other eye tissues and make them more susceptible to damage.

Risks associated with increased myopia:

• Retinal detachment: High myopia makes the retina more prone to tearing and detaching from the back of the eye, which can lead to irreversible vision loss.

• Glaucoma: People with moderate-to-high myopia have a higher likelihood of developing glaucoma, a condition that can be caused by increased pressure within the eye.

• Cataracts: Increased myopia is linked to a greater need for cataract surgery later in life, as the lens of the eye becomes cloudy over time.

• Myopic macular degeneration: This is an eye disease that can lead to severe vision loss, and high myopia increases the risk of developing it.

• Other complications: High myopia can increase the risk of developing other issues, such as myopic optic neuropathy and the formation of unwanted blood vessels in the eye.   

 

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. 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. This approach is often preferred for athletes or other active individuals.

Atropine Eye Drops | One of the thoughts about the progression of myopia, is that it is associated with eye strain. The additional stresses that are placed on the eye when straining push the eye further out of its proper shape. Atropine eye drops are specifically designed to help stop the eye from straining and help the muscles relax. Atropine is similar to the eye drops that are used when you get your eyes dilated but lasts throughout the entire day rather than just a few hours. Atropine dilates the pupil of the eye and prevents them from closing too tightly and limiting your vision. This treatment has been shown to be especially effective in slowing the progression of myopia in children.
 
Multifocal Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses | These specialty contact lenses are designed to help reduce strain on the eyes. They have shown great success at slowing the progression of myopia over a three-year period when compared with individuals who wore a standard prescription lens.

Myopia Control Using Optical Lenses | Myopia control glasses use specially designed spectacle lenses that slow down myopia progression in children while providing clear vision. These lenses are an easy-to-use, non-invasive alternative to myopia control contact lenses.

Stellest Lenses from Essilor | Stellest lenses are specialized eyeglass lenses developed by Essilor to slow down the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children and young adults. They use a unique optical design called H.A.L.T. (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target) technology to manage how light enters the eye, reducing the stimulus that causes excessive eye elongation.

MiyoSmart Lenses from Hoya | MiyoSmart lenses are a type of eyeglass lens designed to slow down the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children and young adults. They use D.I.M.S. (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) technology to modify how light is focused on the retina, which helps control eye growth.
 

MiSight 1 Day Contact Lenses | MiSight 1 Day is a specially designed soft, daily disposable contact lens that helps slow down the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children. It is one of the first FDA-approved contact lenses for myopia control. If your child is experiencing worsening myopia, MiSight can be an effective, safe, and easy-to-use solution to slow progression.

 

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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.