MYOPIA CONTROL
Myopia Control
The consequences of high myopia are more than just needing glasses with thick lenses. With children spending more time in front of screens and less time outdoors, myopia is quickly becoming endemic. Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the eyeball grows too long and the image no longer focuses properly on the retina. The higher the myopia, the more stretching of delicate tissues inside the eye, increasing the risk of sight threatening diseases. Those with myopia have a significantly increased risk of blindness or vision impairment due to retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Current treatment options at Harbourfront Eye Care that have been shown to slow myopia progression include:
MiYOSMART glasses are an innovative and clinically proven treatment for slowing down myopia (nearsightedness) progression. It is child-friendly, easy to adapt to and non-invasive.
The spectacle lens in a pair of MiyoSmart glasses look similar to a regular pair of glasses, with a key difference being the embedded D.I.M.S. technology (defocus incorporated multiple segments)
Traditional single-vision lenses focus light on the retina centrally, but behind it peripherally. This peripheral light focusing behind the retina is thought to be a stimulus for the eyeball to grow longer and more myopic. MiYOSMART glasses contain an innovative ring of peripheral defocus which instead focuses peripheral light rays in front of the retina, reducing the stimulus for the eyeball to grow more myopic.
A 2-year clinical trial showed that MiYOSMART lenses could slow myopia progression in children by around 60% compared to single-vision lenses!
MiSight 1 day soft contact lenses work via a similar design to MiYOSMART glasses, but instead in a 1-day disposable soft contact lens.
MiSight is suitable for children as young as 8 years old for slowing down progression of myopia.
When wearing MiSight 1 day contact lenses, your child can experience clear vision, freedom from glasses and continue to enjoy the activities they love.
Axial elongation, or simply the elongation of the eyeball contributes to myopia progression. Research has shown that a low concentration of atropine eye drops can effectively reduce the rate of axial elongation.
Low concentration atropine is not available commercially, and must be prescribed by optometrists and compounded by a specialized pharmacy. With a simple low-dose once daily eye drop, myopia reduction can be achieved while minimizing or eliminating any temporary side-effects.
Atropine therapy is often used in conjunction with other forms of myopia control.
Orthokeratology (“Ortho-K”), also known as overnight corneal reshaping, is an effective and reversible medical treatment approved by Health Canada. This treatment is achieved through overnight wear of custom designed ortho-k lenses to correct for refractive error when removed upon waking.
The contact lenses are made from highly gas permeable materials which allow oxygen to reach the surface of the eye while sleeping. Orthokeratology has also been effectively used in myopia control for children, allowing freedom from glasses and contact lenses while awake.
To find out more about myopia control options for your child, book an appointment today.
