Myopia Management

WHAT IS MYOPIA?

Myopia, commonly referred to as short-sightedness or near-sightedness, is the eye’s inability to view distant things clearly. Light beams normally focus on the retina at the back of the eye, enabling clear vision. However, in a myopic eye, light rays focus in front of the retina, causing the retina to generate a blurry image. Correcting this eyesight issue often entails wearing spectacles or contact lenses. Myopia severity is expressed in terms of negative values called dioptres. Myopia is typically divided into three groups:

• Mild myopia: between -0.25 and -2.75
• Moderate myopia: between -3.00 and -5.00
• A high myopia score of more than -5.00

Myopia typically runs in families; when both or one parent is myopic, the probability of the child developing short-sightedness increases to approximately 1 in 3 children (1 in 2 children).

Myopia is irreversible, but thanks to myopia control, special technology spectacles and contact lenses are proven to curb myopia progression.

MYOPIA & CHILDREN

Myopia control, which refers to the technique of attempting to reduce the evolution of myopia, especially in children, is a topic we frequently discuss due to the increase in myopic patients around the world. Research has proven the number of youngsters who are short-sighted has considerably increased during the previous ten years. One of the most prevalent problems with children’s vision today is myopia, which progresses at a faster pace each year in children under 10 and especially in those with extreme myopia. Several factors seem to be contributing to this phenomenon, including more near-work activities including VDU use, less time spent outdoors,
and a combination of other hereditary, behavioural and environmental factors.

Parents frequently underestimate the risks associated with childhood myopia. While correcting myopia with glasses is undoubtedly a possibility, it won’t stop your child’s condition from getting worse. Children’s myopia, if untreated, may worsen over time and develop into extreme myopia. High myopia patients are known to have a higher risk of getting retinal detachments, as well as other disorders that might impair vision later in life. Because of this, the technique of myopia control places a special emphasis on reducing the rate at which children’s short-sightedness develops. Our trained optometrists are aware of all the issues and annoyances brought on by
myopia, and they highly advise parents to think about the myopia control solutions accessible to their children.

Early myopia detection is the key to making the most of myopia control techniques. Children’s eye exams are vital at this point. The first thing to do if you feel your child is short-sighted is to schedule an eye exam. Our qualified optometrist utilise specialised charts that enable children, who are still unable to identify letter, to recognise shapes and images. Corrective eyewear will be needed once your child’s myopia has been identified. You can choose myopia control at this point as a long term solution for your child.

MYOPIA CONTROL WITH SPECTACLES

Special technology lenses designed for vision correction and myopia management simultaneously is commonly used. These lenses feature a focus zone for full vision correction and a special ringshaped treatment zone to slow down myopia. The lenses are made out of a polycarbonate material designed for high impact. This material is also thin and lightweight. The lenses also offer UVprotection, for an all-round protective solution both indoor and outdoor. Lenses are easy to fit, and look just like regular single vision lenses. They are also designed with a special coating, which includes a water-repellent coating to prevent stains, as well as anti-reflective durable coating built to last longer than conventional anti-reflective coating.

MYOPIA CONTROL WITH CONTACT LENSES

MiSight 1 Day are the world’s first child-friendly disposable contact lenses clinically proven to slow the progression of myopia in children by 59% on average after 3 years’ wear. These lenses are specifically designed for children, bringing two benefits:

• Correcting short-sightedness – enabling your child to enjoy clear vision without glasses
• Controlling the progression of myopia – slowing down prescription changes when myopia is still in its early stages

MiSight 1 Day are made from an hydrophilic material, which retains water thus maintaining the lens soft and flexible throughout the day, whilst the ActivControl ™ technology utilises dual zones for myopia management and correction. According to CooperVision clinical studies on MiSight 1 Day, children as young as 8 years were
able to handle their lenses confidently soon after initial fitting, while 100% of parents said their children were happy with the experience of wearing contact lenses, including comfort, vision, ease of use and freedom from spectacles.

Please ask in-store for more information and prices on myopia management appointments.