MYOPIA CONTROL FOR CHILDREN

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR MYOPIA WE OFFER AT THIS PRACTICE

We  offer a number of strategies to help reduce the progression of childhood myopia and limit the final extent of myopia present as your child ages. Treatment options range from spectacles, contact lenses, eye drops, eye exercises and lifestyle modifications.

Orthokeratology: Custom made rigid contact lenses are worn overnight reshaping the cornea to restore normal vision once more in the morning. These lenses act as a retainer, similar to braces used in dentistry, altering the corneal shape at a microscopic level. These retainer lenses provide accurate central vision, whilst the peripheral retinal image is moved in front of the retina, sending a signal to the eye to reduce ongoing elongation. Using OrthoK contact lenses has been shown to reduce myopia by about 55%.

MiSight contact lenses by Coopervision: The use of specific soft multifocal contact lenses can reduce the rate of myopia by up to 59%. These contact lenses maintain a clear image on the central retina, whilst moving the peripheral retinal image forwards in front of the retinal surface. With the peripheral retinal image in front of the retina, a signal is sent to the eye to reduce the elongation (growth) of the eye and therefore reducing the rate of myopic progression.

MyoVision spectacle lenses: The MyoVision spectacle lens is special single vision lens created by ZEISS. The lens is designed to moves the peripheral retinal image in front of the retina while maintaining the central image on the retina. Research suggests this lens sends a signal to the eye to reduce elongation of the eyeball and therefore reducing the degree of myopia. It has been shown this lens may reduce myopia progression by 17%-30.

Atropine eye drops: Atropine drops have been utlilised for many years in the effective prevention and reduction of myopic progression. Myopia progression can be reduced by 59% with Atropine drops,  however they typically have side effects such as blurred near vision, and increased glare sensitivity making their popularity somewhat limited. Recently however, research has shown that the equivalent beneficial effects on reducing myopia, can still be made with Atropine in a low strength formula (100 times weaker), effectively removing the majority of the side effects associated with the full strength version, whilst still maintaining excellent myopia prevention. Low strength Atropine is usually dispensed as one drop nightly before bed and can only be made by special order through a compounding pharmacy.

Progressive / Bifocal lenses: Progressive lenss or bifocals have been shown to reduce the progression of myopia by about 29%. Children with a tendancy towards over converging (crossing) eyes or those that have poor focussing skills also have an increased risk of progressive myopia. By treating these children with visual exercises and progressive or bifocal glasses, the rate of myopic progression can also be reduced.

Lifestyle modications: Studies suggest that 14 hours spent outdoors per week appears to have a protective effect on the eye developing myopia. This means spending at least 2 hours per day performing outdoor activity can be beneficial for children in maintaining excellent distance vision. Swapping the ipad or TV for more outdoor play can have a positive impact on reducing myopia. It is important to remember good sunglasses are required for outdoor activiites to minimise the harmful effects of UV damage while outdoors.