Myopia Control

What is Myopia?

Myopia is the most common type of refractive error. Often referred to as nearsightedness or short-sightedness, it impacts distance vision – people with myopia can see close objects clearly, but objects further away appear blurry. Myopia occurs when the eye is too long, or part of the eye (your cornea or lens) is too long or curved. This disrupts the retina’s ability to focus light and causes distant objects to look blurred.

Myopia appears to be growing around the world, with recent studying’s indicating that about 30% of the world is currently myopic and in the next 30 years (by 2050) almost 50% will be myopic. In places such as in East and South East Asia, the prevalence is closer to 80-90% and the USA reports a prevalence of 42% (this number doubled in 3 decades)

This increase will have an impact on individuals living with uncorrected refractive error, increase in blindness and vision impairment secondary to macular changes related to myopia, and the requirement for resources such as contact lenses and glasses will increase.

Myopia is generally detected in childhood and accelerates throughout adolescence and beyond, with a dramatic increase from grade 1 to grade 8.

Studies show that any level of myopia increases the risk of developing ocular conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration – the risk increases significantly once reaching high myopia.

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Signs of Myopia in Kids 

  • Complaints of headaches 
  • Inability to focus 
  • Squinting or partially closing the eyelids to see clearly 
  • Difficulty seeing far away objects (like the whiteboard at the front of the classroom) 
  • Sitting closer to the TV or in front of the classroom  
  • Even if you don’t notice any of these signs, it’s still important to schedule annual comprehensive eye exams for kids. 
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Myopia control 

The standard goal of treating nearsightedness is to improve vision by helping focus light on your retina using corrective lenses or refractive surgery. Managing nearsightedness also includes regular monitoring for complications of the condition, including glaucoma, cataracts, retinal tears and detachments, and damage to central retinal areas.

Studies show that 1 Diopter increase in myopia is associated with a 67% increase in myopic maculopathy. 

Wearing corrective lenses treats nearsightedness by counteracting the increases in prescription due. Most myopia control devices work with myopia defocus theory. The various options available are listed below:

  • Eyeglasses: This is a simple, safe way to sharpen vision caused by nearsightedness. At Oasis Eye Care, we use HOYA Miyosmart and Zeiss Myovision myopia control lenses to help decrease the rate of change in myopia. 
  • Contact lenses: These lenses are worn right on your eyes. We employ two types of contact lenses for Myopia Control 
  • RGP lenses (Ortho K, Corneal Refractive Therapy): It is a non-permanent surgery-free way for some people to leave their glasses behind and not have to wear contact lenses all the time. 
    • We use a wide array of Ortho K (CRT) lenses to help control or decrease the rate of increase of myopia. Our doctors are well versed to choose the right Ortho K lens for you. These lenses are customized for each patient. Book an appointment to discuss these options further with our Doctors. 
  • Soft contact lenses
    • At Oasis Eye Care we use myopia control dailies to decrease the rate of change for patients
      • MiSight
      • Ability 
    • Other modalities of contact lenses may also be effective, book an appointment to discuss further with our Doctors 
  • Atropine: Low-dose atropine has been proven effective in reducing the rate of myopia progression. The dosage % is typically compounded to the dosage recommended by our doctors
    *Atropine must be used in conjunction with corrective lenses 

 

Book an appointment today to discuss your options.