Myopia Control

The global prevalence of myopia is expected to increase from 27% in 2010 to 52% in 2050.

Read more about myopia and the different treatment options we offer below.

WHAT IS MYOPIA?

Myopia is when the eye grows too long and the focus of the image falls in front of the retina. This leads to blurry vision in the distance and an increased risk for a number of eye diseases including glaucoma, retinal detachments, myopic macular degeneration and cataracts.

WHAT CAUSES MYOPIA?

1. Genetic component: Myopia can run in families. If both parents have myopia, the child has 50% chance of developing myopia.

2. Environmental Factors: Spending too much time indoors doing activities that involve close-up work, like reading and using electronic devices may contribute to myopia and it's progression.

3. Lack of Outdoor Time: Not spending enough time outdoors, especially during childhood, may increase the risk of myopia. We recommend a cumulative 2 hours/day outdoors wearing your favorite sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

What Are The Risks?

Glaucoma

A condition that effects the optic nerve and can lead to a progressive loss in vision.

Cataracts

Clouding of the eye's natural lens may occur earlier or progress more rapidly in individuals with high myopia.

Myopic Maculopathy

A condition that affects the central part of the retina called the macula. It can lead to visual distortion, loss of central vision, and impact daily activities such as driving, reading and recognizing faces.

Increased Dependence

With higher myopia, there is an increased dependence on one of the many forms of optical correction in the form of glasses of contact lenses.

Retinal Detachment

The retina becomes thinner as the eyeball grows longer and becomes more susceptible to retinal holes and tears. Fluid can seep under these breaks in the retina leading to a retinal detachment, which is a serious sight threatening eye emergency.

What Can We Do?

There's no way to cure myopia, but there are ways to help slow the progression. Myopia control, also known as Myopia Management goes beyond correcting with traditional spectacle lenses and contact lenses. We use specialty lenses that work by creating a myopic defocus at the level of the retina to help reduce the speed at which the eyeball grows.

Orthokeratology

These are specially designed lenses for your child's eyes that help by gently reshaping the cornea while they sleep to correct the prescription. These need to be worn nightly as the reshaping is temporary.

Soft Contact Lenses

These are daily contact lenses that are replaced after each wear. Soft contact lenses work based off of a dual-focus design that helps by creating two treatment zones which create a myopic defocus.

Spectacle Lenses

Spectacle lenses are a child-friendly, safe and non-invasive way incorporate into the Myopia Control strategy. These are specialty lenses that are fit just like single vision lenses for glasses, but incorporate revolutionary technology to create a defocus to help slow the progression of myopia.

Atropine Eye Drops

Atropine drops are used on a daily basis and instilled every night.

Progressive myopia can increase the risk of certain eye conditions. There are ways in which we can slow it down. Call us to find out more.

It's important to note that the effectiveness of each modality can vary. Treatment approach depends on individual factors, such as age, severity of myopia, and personal preferences. Consulting with an eye care professional is crucial to determine the most suitable myopia control strategy for an individual.