Myopia Control

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What is Myopia?

Myopia is a need for glasses or contacts resulting from the eye focusing an image in front of the retina instead of directly on the retina. Myopia is also known as nearsightedness, because this “refractive error” allows up-close objects to be in focus, while distant objects are blurry.

What Causes Myopia Progression?

As children grow, their eyes can become larger and longer. This is a normal change, but can cause the focal point of a faraway object to become located further and further in front of the retina, creating the need for progressively stronger glasses.

What is Myopia Control?

Myopia Control is a term describing the treatment methods used to slow down or stop the progressive loss of far vision in children by preventing the eyeball from growing too long.

Why Are Parents Having Their Children Undergo Myopia Control Treatment?

Myopia has become an epidemic throughout the world. Besides the loss of far vision, there are increased eye health risks because of having eyes that are too long, including an increased risk for glaucoma and retinal detachment. As more and more studies show the efficacy and safety of myopia control treatment, controlling myopia has come to be viewed as more of a medical necessity rather than an elective luxury by eye care professionals, educators, and parents.

What Can Be Done to Prevent My Child’s Vision from Getting Worse?

Current Treatment Options for Myopia Control

Ortho-K treatment involves a controlled re-shaping of the cornea to eliminate refractive error by using specially designed rigid gas permeable contact lenses which are worn overnight and removed upon waking, providing clear vision for all waking hours.

When used for myopia control, CRT molds are specifically designed with a central smaller optic (treatment) zone to create a larger area of peripheral myopia to counteract the peripheral hyperopia, thereby preventing the eyeball from growing longer and becoming more myopic.

CRT molds for myopia control have been repeatedly shown in several studies over many years to be the most successful method for reducing the long-term progression of nearsightedness in children.

1% atropine eye drops have been safely used for decades to treat childhood eye conditions such as amblyopia, also called “lazy eyes.” Recent scientific studies have found that when diluted atropine 0.01-0.05% drops are instilled nightly; myopia progression can be slowed or stopped. Studies show that this treatment slows down a child’s myopia degeneration for 1-2 years. These drops are best used when children are too young or unable to wear ortho-k lenses.
Many studies have shown the benefits of outdoor play in developing normal vision (emmetropia) as well as decreasing myopia progression. Send your kids outside to play at least 1-2 hours per day!
Due to the unique aspheric optics, very large amounts of “add” or plus power create the peripheral myopia needed to counteract peripheral hyperopia, thereby preventing the eyeball from growing longer and becoming more myopic. Several contact lens companies have designed soft contact lenses for this purpose.
If you have any questions about these treatments or have a young family member with progressively worsening myopia, please schedule an appointment to discuss it with one of our skilled Optometrists.

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134 Central Way Kirkland, WA 98033

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425-889-2020

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kirklandeye@gmail.com

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