Myopia

Myopia Control – Slow the Progression of Nearsightedness

Each time you visit the eye doctor, is it necessary to get a stronger prescription? Myopia is a condition that causes eyes to become progressively more nearsighted, which means that you might need to change your prescription lenses every time you visit the eye doctor. It shouldn’t be normal to get stronger and stronger glasses each year. So you should have a conversation with your Optometrist about how your eyes are changing and the treatments that can be used to correct the vision changes.

What is Myopia?

Most people have heard the term “nearsighted” and this term is a general name for myopia. This eye condition causes the eyes to have a hard time seeing objects that are far away. In most situations, the objects that are far away will appear to be blurred. Even though the distance vision is blurred, the person can clearly see close-up objects.

Why Myopia Needs to be Treated

At this point, researchers have not been able to identify a cure for myopia. However, there are treatments that can be used to slow the progression of the eye disease. With active treatment, it is possible to preserve eyesight and stop your vision from getting worse.

Myopia is a growing epidemic for children all over the world. If your child’s myopia begins to progress as they age, then it might be necessary for them to wear strong corrective eyeglass lenses. These lenses can be used to correct the vision temporarily, so that the patient can see. The problem is that thick, corrective lenses have been associated with other eye problems that can develop later in life. For example, these lenses might be associated with the development of detached retinas or early cataracts.

Three Types of Treatments for Myopia

As with any eye disease, it’s important to take a proactive approach to treating the condition. By working closely with an Optometrist at Village Eyecare, you can find the right treatment to match your individual needs.

These are the three common treatments that are suggested for myopia:

  • Orthokeratology: Orthokeratology (Ortho-k) is the use of custom made corneal molds to be worn at night while sleeping and removed upon awakening. The molds reshape the cornea that slows down the lengthening of the eye and thus reduces myopia progression. An additional benefit is that upon removal of the molds upon awakening, patients see clearly and do not need to wear their glasses or contact lenses throughout the day.
  • Atropine Eye Drops: Multiple clinical studies across the world have shown that a very low concentration of atropine applied once per day slows myopia progression. The medication causes the pupil to dilate slightly and has a small impact on the overall accommodative functioning. Therefore, for a small percentage of people, there is some mild glare with bright lights however for most it does not affect daily activities.
  • Multifocal Contact Lenses: These unique contact lenses can be used to help with the correction of presbyopia and myopia. The dual-focus design has been tested in several research studies, and results have shown a slowing of the progression of myopia.

Are you looking for solutions to slow the progression of myopia? Contact our experienced team at Village Eyecare to learn more about treatments for myopia. We will schedule an appointment for you to discuss your individual concerns with an expert, to identify the best treatment for your needs.