MYOPIA CONTROL
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, affects millions of people worldwide. In children and young adults, myopia tends to increase year-on-year and this can lead to levels of risk of serious eye conditions. Slowing this progression is beneficial and there are now several options available for us to use to help with Myopia Control.
What is Myopia?
Myopia is an eye condition that we think about firstly for the focus of the eye. Myopia causes distance vision to become blurred, making it harder to make out far away objects like the board at school, television screens, road signs. Things up close tend to stay clear, like reading books or looking at a phone. This is sometimes called short-sightedness or near-sightedness.
The concern about myopia is the eye can actually lengthen due to myopia and this can lead to an increase in eye disease with age, including: Retinal Detachment, Myopic Macular Degeneration, Cataracts and Glaucoma.
Causes of Myopia: There are several main causes of myopia. One to consider is spending time on activities up close. This includes reading, drawing, computer games, cellphones, tablets and computer use.
Another large component can be family history. Unlike other risk factors, we can not modify our genetics, so it is an important consideration when looking at the overall picture of myopia.
Keeping the vision as clear as possible definitely helps. Not wearing the correct glasses or contact lens prescription can increase the rate at which myopia will progress and is one reason that we like to see children more frequently for their eye exams.
Too much time indoors and not getting time outside will also progress myopia changes. It is important to try to get at least two hours of outdoors light evey day, which can be a challenge during our winters!
Step One: Regular eye appointments help to assess the vision, especially in children who may not say that they can not see clearly. Accurate, clear vision is essential to minimise myopia progression.
Step Two: Encourage good habits, like regular breaks from close work, including homework, reading, gaming, cellphone use and computer time. Ideally the eyes should get a chance to relax every 20 minutes and keep all close work at least at a forearm's distance away.
Step Three: Look for opportunities to spend time outdoors. Exposure to natural daylight is beneficial in slowing the onset and progression of myopia.
Myopia Control Treatments
Spectacle Lenses: Specialised spectacle lenses slow the progression of myopia by varying the focus across the whole retina. This is a convenient approach, especially for children already wearing glasses, and allows for prescription sunglasses alongside the regular glasses.
Single use daily contact lenses: Soft myopia control contact lenses like MiSight and Abiliti give the benefits of contact lenses, especially for sports and outdoor fun, with the safety and convenience of single-use hygienic daily disposable wear.
ortho-K Contact Lenses: Rigid gas permeable contact lenses which are worn overnight while sleeping. These contact lenses gently reshape the front surface of the eye to both correct the vision and introduce myopia control during the day. A great alternative to contact lenses and provide a glasses free lifestyle, which can be useful, especially for some sports.
Atropine Eyedrops: Specifically formulated eyedrops that are used once a day at bedtime have been shown to be very effective in myopia control. Atropine therapy also has been shown to have benefit to use alongside the options listed above creating a powerful co-therapy.
Whatever option is best for you and your child, we will go through them with you to help create the best solution all round. With affordable subscription plans for contact lenses we also make the whole experience worry and hassle free.
Our Optometrists
Dr. Euan McGinty
Optometrist
Geekily creative, Euan moved from Scotland in 2010. Passionate about all things eyes, especially dry eyes and pediatrics, he also loves scuba diving and travel.
Dr. John Wilson
Optometrist
A dedicated people person, John loves nothing more than to spend time with his patients every day. When not doing that, you'll find him on the open road on his bike!
Dr. Karley Brooking
Optometrist
Always with a smile and an overflowing enthusiasm, Karley shares her curious wonder of optometry in every eye exam and with her cat, Peanut!
Dr. Kaitlyn Skinner
Optometrist
With a serious passion for sports, Kaitlyn's competitive keenness will make sure your eyes perform to their optimum potential! Away from work, globetrotting is Kaitlyn's other passion.
THE COLLECTIONS
READY FOR YOUR NEXT EXAM?
Scheduling your eye exam couldn't be simpler with online booking, text us, call us or chat through our website.
FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR NEW GLASSES
Select your next favourite pair of glasses from our selections or have a bespoke frame custom designed for you