Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision condition where one has difficulty seeing things far away. With the increase in usage of digital devices in our youth, myopia has become so common that it is reaching epidemic proportions in certain parts of the world. The International Myopia Institute reports that myopia affects nearly 30% of the world’s population today, and will be as high as 50% by the year 2050.
Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long for its optical power, thus causing blurry vision. Risk factors include genetics and environment. While it was previously thought that all that needed to be done for nearsightedness was to correct the blurry vision with glasses or contacts, we now know that myopia, especially high levels of myopia, are associated with vision-threatening complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachments later in life. Our doctors stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in myopia and promote taking a proactive approach in treating myopia.
If you are noticing your child squinting or moving closer to objects in order to see, they may be a great candidate for myopia control. There are 3 main treatment approaches to managing myopia:
Orthokeratology (ortho-k)
Ortho-k contact lenses are custom-designed rigid gas permeable contact lenses that are FDA-approved to be worn to sleep and removed upon awakening. These lenses gently reshape the front of the eye overnight in order to provide clear vision during the day. Ortho-k lenses have been proven to slow down the progression of nearsightedness.
Ortho-k lenses not only provide an excellent option for myopia control but also for patients who are not candidates for refractive surgery or for those who want to be free from glasses and contact lenses during the day.
Soft Contact Lens
Soft Contact Lenses with innovative technology to slow down the progression of myopia is a comfortable alternative for many patients. These lenses are worn during the daytime just like a standard soft contact lens and allow for clear vision at all distances while the lens is worn.
However, unlike standard contact lenses, myopia management soft lenses include a treatment zone that acts to slow down worsening of nearsightedness.
Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine eye drops that are custom compounded by a pharmacy can also be used to decrease myopia progression and are used once daily before bedtime. This is a good option for patients who are not ready for contact lenses and would prefer to continue to wear glasses. In some cases, if the child’s prescription continues to worsen rapidly over time, we may choose to combine two different treatments such as orthokeratology with atropine eye drops.
With all of the options above, our doctors will monitor the patient’s myopia routinely (every 3-6 months) to measure the effectiveness of the treatment and to make changes if needed. If you would like to schedule a Myopia Control consultation, please contact us today at (626) 441-5300.