Everyone has probably heard their parents tell them to not sit so close to the television. Is there any truth to this concern?
Our parents may not have been totally correct, but they were not completely wrong either. The prevalence of myopia continues to grow.
Why is Myopia increasing among children?
There are studies showing that the risk of myopia development and progression are not only due to hereditary/ genetics and ethnicity but also influenced by our environment and behavior. Having two parents which are myopic can increase the risk of developing myopia threefold or greater. "Although there is a genetic component in myopia development, the visual environment appears to be a major contributor to school-aged myopia." Children that spend less time outside and more time reading and on devices are more likely to develop or progress myopia.
What can be done to curb the risk of high myopia? Taking breaks from focusing at near approximately every 30 minutes to look at distance may be one simple way to help reduce the risk of myopia progression.
Recently, newly designed daily disposal contact lenses have been FDA approved for myopia control. The treatment with these contact lenses has shown to control the progression of myopia and control axial length growth associated with the risk of high myopia (>5-6 diopters).
What treatments are available and which is best for me?
Careful monitoring of your child's vision development by an optometrist is critical in knowing when and what time of treatment may be appropriate. Current possible treatment may include one or a combination of the following:
1) Drops which temporarily open the pupil and limit the ability to focus. This is thought to slow the progression of myopia through interaction with some of the receptors in the eye that control eye growth.
2) Orthokeratology: Rigid gas perm lenses worn overnight to reduce nearsightedness by temporarily and reversibly reshaping the front surface of the eye (cornea).
3) Soft contact lenses with different zones of prescription work to control myopia progression.
4) Multifocal spectacles, to a lesser degree, have also been thought to help manage myopia progression.
5) Myopia Management Program by CooperVision uses a daily disposal contact lens, MiSight, to control myopia progression in children ages 8-12. The only FDA approved soft contact lens treatment to control myopia.
We are pleased to announce that we provide this new treatment in our office using MiSight daily disposal contact lenses available by CooperVision. This treatment requires your child to use the contact lenses at least 6 days per week and at least 10 hours per day. Studies have shown an average 56% reduction in myopia progression and an average 52% reduction in axial length growth as compared to non-treatment. We monitor axial length using A-scan biometry. This is a device used at our office to measure the length of the eye (axial length) using ultrasound. The information gathered can help us determine the risk of developing myopia and the possibility of progressing to high myopia (>5-6 diopters) which can have long term implications in the health of the eyes. Development retinal thinning or detachment which can lead to permanent vision loss. Or having higher risk in developing glaucoma or cataracts.
MiSight Program
What can I expect on my first visit?
A complete exam will include:
1) Background: History to identify risk factors for myopia development and progression (parent history of myopia, age of onset of myopia, history of progression of myopia, history of past treatment of myopia)
2) Measure current prescription requirement
3) Evaluate the eye health
4) Measure the size of the eyes (axial length) and curvature of the front surface of the eyes. This is a painless procedure.
5) Test new MiSight contact lenses
6) Train the patient on how to insert and remove contacts
7) Set up follow-up appointments for one week, one month, and 3-6 months out.