What is Myopia?
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common vision condition where nearby objects appear clear, but distant objects are blurry. This occurs due to an imbalance in the eye's structure—specifically, the cornea, lens, and length of the eyeball. In a myopic eye, light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina rather than directly on it, causing blurred distance vision. Myopia often progresses over time and can lead to serious, sight-threatening complications if not managed properly.
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What Causes Myopia Progression?
As children grow, their eyeballs can become larger and longer, causing the focus point for distant objects to move further in front of the retina. This results in blurrier distant vision and a need for stronger eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Several risk factors contribute to the development and progression of myopia:
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Genetics: Having myopic parents increases the likelihood of developing myopia.
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Near Work: Spending extensive time on activities like reading or using digital devices can strain the eyes.
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Lack of Outdoor Time: Spending less than two hours per day outdoors is associated with a higher risk of myopia.
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Early Onset: Developing myopia at an early age, such as 5 years or younger, often leads to more severe progression.​
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​What is Myopia Management?
Myopia management involves various treatment methods aimed at slowing down the progression of myopia in children. The goal is to prevent the elongation of the eyeball, thereby preserving distance vision and reducing the risk of complications associated with severe myopia.
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What Can Be Done To Prevent My Child’s Vision From Getting Worse?
Several strategies and treatments can help manage myopia in children:
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Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): This non-surgical treatment uses specially designed hard contact lenses to temporarily reshape the cornea, the front surface of the eye, correcting myopia (nearsightedness). These custom-fit lenses are worn overnight while sleeping, similar to wearing a retainer for teeth, and gently reshape the cornea to improve vision. In the morning, after removing the lenses, your child will experience clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses. Ortho-K not only provides freedom from glasses but also helps to slow the progression of myopia in children, making it an ideal choice for active youngsters and those at risk of developing high myopia.
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Specialized Soft Contact Lenses: MiSight® 1 day contact lenses are specially designed soft contact lenses intended for daily wear. They are particularly effective for myopia control in children, offering both vision correction and a potential reduction in the progression of myopia (nearsightedness). These lenses are FDA-approved and specifically designed to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8 to 12 at the start of treatment.
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Low-Concentration Atropine Eye Drops: These prescription eye drops, used in low concentrations (0.01% to 0.1%), have been shown to slow the progression of myopia in children without major side effects. Spectacles or contact lenses are still needed to correct the blurred vision from myopia, as atropine only acts to slow myopia progression.
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The best option for your child will depend on several factors, including their prescription (level of myopia and astigmatism), eye shape, pupil size, eye sensitivity, the motivation of both the child and parents, risk assessment, personal hygiene, compliance, lifestyle and sporting activities, ease of use, and cost. Carefully evaluating these factors is crucial in making the right decision for your child's myopia management plan.