Yes, well Myopia Management may be for you. Myopia management aims to slow your child’s myopic progression by using specialised lenses or contact lenses, following lifestyle advice and regularly checking your child’s vision.
Myopia, also called short-sightedness, happens when the eye focuses light in front of the retina, rather than on it. This means that objects nearby or at a short distance away are clear, but objects that are far away, such as the whiteboard or the TV are blurred. This is because the eyeball is slightly too long or too powerful. It typically starts in childhood and usually requires glasses or contact lenses to see things at a distance.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be short-sighted, the image below give you an idea of what it would be like.
You’ll find another good example by clicking on the vision simulator and move the slider along the scale to see how vision changes without spectacles or contact lenses changes as short-sightedness increases. Check out the classroom, the science lab and the school sports hall.
Myopia (short-sightedness) is most commonly caused by the eye growing too long. Certain factors make a child more likely to become short-sighted, such as:
| Genetics | Time outdoors | Modern Lifestyle |
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Research has shown that myopia is linked to genetics. If you or your partner is myopic your child has a medium risk of developing myopia, whereas, if both parents are myopic, your child has a high risk of developing myopia.
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Spending more time outdoors may help delay the onset of short- sightedness. Sunlight stimulates the production of vitamin D and dopamine, which are linked to healthy eye development. Experts recommend a minimum of 10 hours outdoors each week – about 90 minutes a day. | Research has shown we spend more time focusing our eyes on nearby objects such as phones and tablets. It’s important to be mindful that activities such as computer use, reading and watching TV increase the chance of developing short-sightedness. |
Myopia is one of the most common eye disorders in the world, with its prevalence increasing all the time. An estimated 5 billion people or half the global population could be affected by short-sightedness by 2050.In the UK myopia now affects around 1 in 4 young people.
Research has shown that increased levels of myopia can also increase the risk of serious eye conditions in later life, such as, cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy.
Treating myopia now, will correct your child’s vision and may help reduce the risk of developing these eye condition as they get older. Although, to date there is not any long-term evidence on whether myopia management will have the desired effect long term.
Myopia can develop at any age but is more likely to begin in childhood. Most children have normal eyesight until the age of 6. After this, some start to become short-sighted, resulting in blurred distance vision. The eye continues to grow between 6 and 16 years of age and once myopia begins to develop it usually continues to get worse until early adulthood.
The younger a child becomes myopic the faster it will progress. Short-sighted kids are often excellent students and have no visual complaints when reading or doing homework, making it hard to identify. Therefore, even if your child is not complaining of vision problems its important to schedule routine eye exams. Eye exams are especially important if you or your partner is myopic, or their siblings have myopia or other vision problems.
Myopia management aims to slow the progression of Myopia, reducing the risk of your child developing high levels of short-sightedness, that require thick, corrective eyeglasses.
This is done by using specialist contact lenses or glasses, lifestyle advice and regular monitoring. We cannot predict whether, and to what extent, your child would benefit from an intervention or not. We also do not have the evidence needed to know how, intervening even when apparently successful, will affect eye health in the long term.
Yes! Most people can slow down the progression of myopia. A stronger prescription year after year should not be normal. It does not cure or reduce but aims to slow down the rate at which it gets worse, but unfortunately, there is no guarantee it will work for everyone.
Although there is currently no cure for myopia, we are able to fit your child with contact lenses that may slow down the progression of Myopia. Our optometrists have extensive experience in myopia management and can advise suitable treatment tailored specifically for your child.
Take the Childhood Short-Sightedness Quiz to find out if your child could become short-sighted and what to do if they already are.
Your optometrist will ask you to complete a Myopia Profile for your child, and then discuss the results and management options with you.
| Regular Lenses | Multifocal Lenses | MiYOSMART Lenses (Hoya) | STELLEST Lenses (Essilor) |
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Merely corrects the visual defect only, slowing myopia progression by 0-0.5% If lenses are not strong enough, it has been shown to make myopia develop more quickly or become more severe that it might otherwise have done. |
Lenses that have different powers, that help you see clearly near, intermediate, and far. This type of spectacle lens can reduce myopic progression by 12-45% |
Corrects vision by perfectly focusing light on the retina Using D.I.M.S Technology, it can reduce myopia progression on average by 60% Safe & durable for active wear, high impact resistance Comprehensive UV protection Water repellent, therefore, very easy to clean
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Corrects vision by perfectly focusing light on the retina Using H.A.L.T. Technology, it can slow down myopia progression by 67% on average, when worn 12 hours a day Comfortable, protective & shock-resistant Blocks 100% transmission of UV rays |
| Regular Contact Lenses | Multifocal Soft Contact Lenses | MiSight 1 Day |
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Merely corrects the visual defect only, slowing myopia progression by 0-0.5% If lenses are not strong enough, it has been shown to make myopia develop more quickly or become more severe that it might otherwise have done.> |
Contact Lenses that have different powers, that help you see clearly near, intermediate, and far.
This type of contact lens can reduce myopic progression by 29-45% |
Daily disposable contact lens that provides clear, spectacle free vision Using ActivControl it slows down myopia progression by 59% on average Children as young as 8 can successfully wear contact lenses |
There is no increased risk from wearing myopia contact lenses compared with wearing conventional contact lenses. There could be a small increased risk of corneal infection in children and young adults, associated with wearing lenses for longer periods , or for an individual moving from spectacle wear only to contact lenses. Children wearing contact lenses need to be able to handle them hygienically hence the need for a full contact lens fitting evaluation, and patient instruction on lens wear and care.
Atropine is currently being trialled in the UK and is not yet licensed for myopia management. Some evidence suggests that low-dose atropine (0.01%) may be able to significantly slow down the progression of myopia in some patients.
While these are unlikely to affect the management pathway, however, they are modifiable and should always be considered to reduce overall risk. Our opticians will be able to discuss in more detail
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All of these options have varying cost implications. Speak to our myopia specialists about the right solution for your child, they will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Click here to download Your Myopia leaflet.
