Myopia, commonly known as near-sightedness, or short-sightedness is a refractive error where close objects appear clear, but distant objects appear blurry. It occurs when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Myopia often develops in childhood and tends to progress until the late teens or early twenties.
Why Myopia Control Matters
Myopia has become increasingly prevalent worldwide, with more children being diagnosed at younger ages. High myopia (severe nearsightedness) is associated with a higher risk of eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment later in life. Therefore, managing and controlling myopia progression early on is crucial for long-term eye health.
Methods of Myopia Control
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): This non-surgical method involves wearing specially designed gas permeable contact lenses overnight. These lenses reshape the cornea while you sleep, temporarily correcting myopia so that glasses or daytime contact lenses are not needed during waking hours. Studies suggest that Ortho-K may also slow down the progression of myopia in children.
- Specialised Soft Contact Lenses: These contact lenses have different powers in different zones of the lens. They work by reducing eye strain and focusing fatigue associated with near tasks, potentially slowing myopia progression.
- Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops have been shown to effectively slow myopia progression in children. They work by dilating the pupil and temporarily relaxing the focusing mechanism of the eye.
- Environmental and Behavioural Changes: Encouraging outdoor activities and reducing near work activities, such as prolonged use of digital devices, may also help in controlling myopia progression.
- Myopia Control Glasses: glasses (spectacles) are a simple-to-use and non-invasive way to correct blurred eyesight. Glasses offer a stable way to position a lens in front of the eye, there are many specialty myopia control spectacle lens designs available. These have been shown in research to have among the highest efficacy across all myopia control treatment options.
Importance of Early Intervention
Early intervention and regular eye exams are crucial for managing myopia in children. Lauren and Abby can monitor your child’s eye health and prescribe appropriate myopia control treatments based on their age, prescription, and lifestyle factors. By addressing myopia early, we can help reduce the risk of high myopia and associated eye complications in the future.
At LA Optical we have the technology to measure axial length, the eyeball length which is necessary to be able to monitor if myopia control options are effective.
Contact Us
For more information on myopia control or to schedule a consultation with our experienced optometrists, please contact our practice. We’re here to help your child achieve clear vision and maintain optimal eye health.