Myopia Control
Slowing the Rate of Progression
Myopia occurs if the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is too curved. As a result, the light entering the eye isn't focused correctly, and distant objects look blurred. Myopia affects nearly 30% of the U.S. population. While the exact cause of myopia is unknown, there is significant evidence that many people inherit myopia, or at least the tendency to develop myopia. If one or both parents are nearsighted, there is an increased chance their children will be nearsighted. Even though the tendency to develop myopia may be inherited, its actual development may be affected by how a person uses his or her eyes. Individuals who spend considerable time reading, working at a computer, playing video games or doing other intense close visual work may be more likely to develop myopia. In fact, high levels of screen time on smart devices (i.e. looking at a smart phone) is associated with around a 30% higher risk of myopia and, when combined with excessive computer use, that risk rose to around 80%
Children who are at high risk of progressive myopia (family history, early age of onset, and extended periods of near work) may benefit from treatment options that have been shown to reduce the progression of myopia. Because persons with high myopia are at a greater risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma and myopic macular degeneration, myopia management may help preserve eye health.
Overnight contact lenses
Overnight gas permeable lenses are used to temporarily reshape the cornea to correct myopia the following day. This is known as ortho-k or corneal reshaping therapy (CRT).
Multifocal soft contact lenses
Multifocal contacts with distance centered optics are worn during the day and used to cause blur on the less used parts of our retina to slow the rate of growth.
Low-dose atropine eye drops
Daily low-dose atropine can be used when contacts are not an option or to boost the effects of either. At low concentrations, this medication has few to no side effects.
Specialty lenses for glasses
New lens technologies are used to create imperceivable blur on the less used portions of the retina to slow the rate of growth