We take pride in specializing in the optometric care of children and young adults with myopia. In addition to providing conventional glasses to clear vision, our services include options for controlling the progression of myopia. We use specialty equipment and techniques to comprehensively evaluate the refractive errors, ocular size and shape of our patients’ eyes. These measurements – along with myopia progression history – are used to determine an optimum management strategy which may include specialty contact lenses or eye drops.
What is Myopia?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, refers to the ability to see near objects clearly while distant objects appear blurry without glasses. Myopia develops when the eye grows too long for its optical power. Higher levels of myopia significantly increase the risk of sight-threatening complications
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What Causes Myopia?
Myopia has become increasingly prevalent. In the US, levels of myopia have reached 50%, while in Asia they are at epidemic levels. Both genetics as well as visual habits have been shown to contribute to the progression of myopia. If both parents are myopic, then their child is more than 5x more likely to develop myopia themselves. Other factors such as time spent outdoors, time devoted to near activities (smartphones, laptops, etc) as well circadian rhythm may play a role.
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Why Try To Control Myopia Growth?
Once a child develops myopia, the average rate of progression is 0.50 diopters per year. Myopia has been associated with sight-threatening conditions such as cataracts, primary open angle glaucoma, and retinal detachments. The higher the amount of myopia, the greater the risk of these conditions. Therefore, reducing a person’s myopia progression also reduces their risk of the above conditions. Myopia generally stops progression in your late teens or early twenties.
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What Are The Treatment Options for Controlling Myopia?
There are treatments available which have been shown in studies to reduce a patient’s long-term myopia progression. The MiSight® 1 day soft contact lens, is FDA approved to slow the progression of myopia. All the techniques below have been approved by the FDA, but not specifically for the slowing of myopia – as such, these are “off-label” uses of approved techniques. |
Atropine
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Multifocal
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Orthokeratology
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