Myopia Management
What is Myopia and why is it a concern?
Myopia, also known as near-sightedness, is a disorder where the shape of the eyeball lengthens and causes image blur on the retina. The progression of myopia is thought to be a combination of environmental and genetic factors.
Myopia is the most common ocular disorder worldwide and the leading cause of visual impairment in children. In 2010 it was estimated that 27% of the world population was myopic, and by 2050 it is estimated to rise to 52%.
Genetics do play a role. It is estimated that if one parent is myopic, a child has a 1 in 5 (20%) chance of becoming myopic, if both parents are myopic it jumps to 1 in 3 or 33%.
Environmental factors, such as prolonged near work (reading and technology based), length of schooling, and time spent outdoors have also been shown to play a role.
Click here to asses your child’s risk factors.
So why is this bad?
The younger the onset of myopia, the higher the likelihood of developing higher risk eye diseases later in life.
These include:
- Retinal Detachments
- Myopic Macular Degeneration
- Glaucoma
See the large jump in risk as the prescription moves into higher numbers. If you have a young child that develops myopia, this is the potential risk they will face later in life because of their refractive error.
Not to mention the financial burden over a lifetime of buying glasses and contacts, and the higher the prescriptions, are more expensive to correct.
Listed below are a couple websites that have useful information if you would like to learn more.
https://www.mykidsvision.org/en-us
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1475-1313.2005.00298.x
https://bullers2020.squarespace.com/recommended-reading
https://www.managemyopia.org/all-about-myopia/key-facts/
Treatment options: These options to help reduce the amount of nearsightedness your child will end up with and help them have healthier eyes later in life.
Multifocal soft contact lenses
Multifocal soft contact lenses have been shown to slow myopia progression by imposing peripheral myopic defocus on the retina. The Biofinity Multifocal from CooperVision is a monthly disposable lens. Studies have shown this method to reduce myopic progression ~50%.
CooperVision MiSight 1 Day lens– FDA approved in 2020. Geared towards children age 8-12, has been shown in studies to slow myopia progression.
Read more here.
Pharmacologic Treatment–
Low dose Atropine has demonstrated 60-80% reduction in the progression of myopia. Results are dose-dependent, with different concentrations available. Side effects are minimal such as light sensitivity and trouble focusing at near. Dosages can be adjusted to reduce these and the drops do not sting when inserted. This required one drop at bedtime in each eye.
Ortho-Keratology– Euclid Emerald
Ortho-K for short, involves the use of rigid gas-permiable lenses that are worn while asleep and removed in the morning. They change the shape of the cornea overnight t correct low-moderate amounts of myopia and astigmatism. Te goal is to not have to wear glasses or contacts during the day. This lens treatment increased the peripheral myopic defocus which decreases the stimulus for eye growth with leads to myopia progression. This has been shown in studies to decrease progression by approximately 50%.
As you can see, there is not one treatment option that prevents progression 100%, different treatment options can be combined, and look to increase the effectiveness.
There are different advantages/disadvantages to each option. There is a time commitment and financial commitment, and what works best may differ for each individual or family. We can discuss these options when you bring your child in for an exam to find what may work best for you.
*information obtained from www.reviewofmyopiamanagement.com
