Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition on the rise globally. With the increasing demand for screen time and limited outdoor activities, more people, especially children, are diagnosed with this refractive error.
Fortunately, there are ways of slowing or halting myopia’s progression. Eyeglasses with lenses designed to change how light focuses in the eye can help slow myopia progression in children. Other effective myopia control options are contact lenses, orthokeratology, and low-dose atropine eye drops.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Myopia doesn’t go away on its own, so it’s essential to involve your child’s eye doctor if they’re experiencing symptoms of myopia. The optometrist can examine your child’s eyes and offer tailored advice.
Introduction to Myopia and the Need for Myopia Control
Myopia is characterized by difficulty in seeing distant objects clearly. Instead, they appear blurry because light rays focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. This condition often begins in childhood and can progress rapidly if not managed effectively.
Controlling myopia is necessary because of its potential complications. High myopia can increase the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and even cataracts later in life. So, managing myopia isn’t just about achieving clear vision—it’s about maintaining eye health over a lifetime and preventing vision-threatening conditions.
Current research indicates that early intervention can slow down the progression of myopia. This is where myopia control eyeglasses come into play, offering a noninvasive method to help manage this common eye condition.
How Myopia Control Eyeglasses Work
Myopia control eyeglasses are designed with special lenses that aim to reduce eye strain and slow down the progression of myopia. These lenses often incorporate features like peripheral defocus, which helps direct light in a way that reduces the elongation of the eyeball—a primary cause of myopia progression.
The technology may include dual-focus or multifocal zones within the lenses. These zones provide different focusing powers, creating an optical environment that discourages the growth of the eye. This can reduce the rate at which myopia progresses over time.
There are currently 4 myopia control-specific lenses being used:
- Essilor Stellest spectacle lenses
- Hoya MiYOSMART spectacle lenses
- SightGlass Vision Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) spectacle lenses
- Zeiss MyoCare lenses
Benefits & Effectiveness of Myopia Control Eyeglasses
One key benefit of myopia control eyeglasses is their noninvasive nature. Unlike contact lenses or medications, these glasses don’t require daily maintenance or direct contact with the eye, making them an excellent option for younger children.
Studies have shown that myopia control eyeglasses can slow myopia progression by up to 50%. This means fewer changes in prescription over time and a reduced risk of developing high myopia and its associated complications.
Additionally, these glasses offer the same benefits as standard prescription glasses, such as improved vision clarity and comfort, making them a dual-purpose solution for both correction and control.
It’s important to note that myopia control eyeglasses don’t typically have a single-vision lens. They will often have a multifocal lens or one of the specially designed lenses mentioned above.
Alternative Myopia Control Methods
Myopia control isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Eyeglasses may not be suitable for everyone, but there are several other effective methods that your child’s eye doctor can incorporate into their eye care plan.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are another effective way to control myopia. Specially designed multifocal or dual-focus contact lenses work similarly to myopia control eyeglasses. These lenses create a peripheral defocus that reduces the stimulus for the eye to grow longer.
These lenses are generally suitable for older children and adults who can handle contact lens maintenance. Daily disposable options are available, providing convenience and reducing the risk of infections.
Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, involves wearing specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses overnight. These lenses temporarily reshape the cornea, providing clear vision during the day without needing daytime corrective lenses.
Ortho-k has been shown to be effective in controlling myopia progression in children. To ensure its effectiveness and safety, it requires a rigorous fitting process and regular follow-ups with an eye care professional.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine eye drops are a pharmaceutical approach to myopia control. These drops are administered daily and work by relaxing the eye’s focusing mechanism, which researchers believe reduces myopia progression. Low-dose atropine has been found to be effective in slowing myopia progression in children.
Discuss Myopia Control with Your Child’s Eye Doctor
Myopia control eyeglasses, multifocal contact lenses, orthokeratology, and low-dose atropine each offer unique benefits and effectiveness in managing myopia. The choice of method should be tailored to the individual’s needs, lifestyle, and the progression rate of myopia.
Call our team at Eye on Evanston today to book an appointment with one of our experienced optometrists. We’re happy to guide you through the process of finding a myopia control option that works for your child.
