Myopia Control Therapy

Myopia occurs if the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is too curved. As a result, when light enters the eye it doesn't focus correctly in the back of the eye and instead, focuses in front of the eye. This incorrect light focusing causes distant objects to appear blurry. 

Myopia progression occurs when the eyeball elongates. 

34% of the world is myopic and it has been estimated that by 2050, 50% of the global population will become myopic. 

Usually children's myopia progresses 0.5 to 1.0 Diopters per year and unfortunately, sometimes faster. Myopia usually changes the fastest between the ages of 8 to 18 years of age. 

The eyes continue to grow and develop until around the age of 20, but may sometimes take many years longer for myopia to stabilize especially if the person will be doing extensive near (i.e. pursuing higher education). 

While the exact cause of myopia is unknown,  studies show that contributing factors include: 

1. Genetics/ Inherited from parents:  If one or both parents are nearsighted, there is an increased chance their children will also be nearsighted.
2. Excessive near focusing: Individuals who spend considerable time reading, working at a computer, or doing other intense close visual work may be more likely to develop myopia.
3. Reduced Outdoor Time: Individuals who spend more time indoors are more likely to develop myopia. Spendings more time outdoors is recommended to decrease the risk of myopia development.

Usually children's myopia progresses 0.5 to 1.0 Diopters per year and unfortunately, sometimes faster. 

1. Decrease risk for dangerous eye conditions.
2. Decrease reliance on glasses and contact lenses.
3. Better overall quality of vision.
4. Improve performance in school.
5. Better candidates for refractive surgery in the future.

Higher levels of myopia and excessive eyeball elongation is associated with a higher risk of ocular eye conditions including:

• Macular degeneration
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Retina holes/tears/detachments
• Vitreous floaters / detachments
• Macular degeneration

MiSight 1 day is the first FDA-approved daily disposable lenses for vision correction and myopia control in children ages 8-12 years.  This lens slows down the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes. Treatment usually begins at the age of 8 years old and should continue until the child's prescription stops changing or progressing. Studies have shown that MiSight lenses reduce rate of myopia by 59% and reduce rate of eye elongation by 52%.

A 3-year clinical study showed:

• 90% of children preferred wearing their MiSight lenses over their eyeglasses.
• 90% of children could handle their MiSight lenses without the help of their parents.
• Over 95% of parents reported that their children were happy with their MiSight lenses due to comfort, improved vision, ease of use and freedom from glasses.

Orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses are small, rigid gas-permeable contact lenses that gently reshapes the front of the eye while your child sleeps. Overnight wear result in clear vision in the morning once lenses are removed. Treatment usually begins at the age of 6 years old (or younger) and should continue until the child's prescription stops changing or progressing. Studies have shown that ortho-k reduces rate of myopia by up to 50%.

Atropine is an off-label therapy that uses eye drops to relax the focusing muscles of the eyes. Low dose atropine drops can help by preventing the elongation of the eyeball and therefore controlling myopia progression. Atropine drops are administered at night-time before going to bed and are used on a daily basis. We normally likely to recommend atropine therapy in conjunction with other treatments like Ortho-K, multifocal contact lenses, and MiSight 1-day contact lenses.