MYOPIA CONTROL
The slowing of the progression of myopia (near-sightedness), also called myopia control. Myopia management includes all the eye-health care related to myopia. It begins with diagnosing childhood myopia and continues through treating its complications in adulthood. Myopia control is a crucial part of myopia management..
MYOPIA CONTROL THERAPY
There are currently three categories of therapy for myopia control. Each works in a different way to counteract myopia development or progression:
- Lenses – Myopia control contact lenses, myopia control eyeglasses and orthokeratology
- Eye drops – Low-dose atropine eye drops
- Habit adjustments – Increasing time outdoors and reducing prolonged near-work activities
There are eye diseases that are more prevalent in adults with high myopia: cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy. High Myopia in adults is considered to be prescription strength -6.00D and above. Because of the higher risk of future eye diseases it is important to control myopia in children as soon as it is diagnosed.
The links below are good overviews of myopia and myopia control.
FIRST STEPS TO PREVENT MYOPIA PROGRESSION
If a child’s myopia is progressing more quickly than expected, the first steps are: more frequent exams (typically every 6 months) and increased outdoor activity. Surprised about the increased outdoor time? There have been several studies that have shown children who spend approximately 2 hours a day outdoors will be less likely to develop myopia. Outdoor light levels can be 11 to 43 times higher than indoors.
https://www.myopiaprofile.com/articles/why-outdoor-time-matters-in-myopia-development
CONTACT LENSES
MiSight contact lenses
Designed to slow the progression of myopia through peripheral defocus. They are daily wear contacts that are worn just like any other contacts.
Ortho-k contacts lenses
Designed to flatten the cornea, hard lenses that you wear at night. The cornea holds that flattened shape throughout the day. (A referral can be made).
https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/orthok.htm
ATROPINE EYE DROPS
Atropine eye drops temporarily paralyzes the focusing system and dilates the pupils. The low dose of atropine eye drops used for myopia control should not affect a child’s ability to read or see things up close.
A low dose of atropine eye drops in both eyes at bedtime has been shown in multiple studies to slow the progression of axial myopia in children. Axial myopia is the result of an elongated length of the eyeball relative to the focusing power of the lens and cornea. It is the most common type of school-aged myopia.
https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/refractive-errors/myopia-control-atropine-eye-drops/