Children's Myopia Management
What is Myopia?
Myopia is more commonly known as short-sightedness. Near objects are clear, but distant objects appear blurred.
Myopia is reaching epidemic levels, the development of which can occur before the age of 10 and up to the age of 25 years. The younger the child is when they are first found to be myopic, the higher the prescription it is likely to become. The likelihood of developing short-sightedness increases if either parent is also short-sighted but there is a 25% chance even with no family history. The onset of myopia can also be lifestyle dependent and is more likely in children who participate in prolonged near-work activities such as reading or digital device use.
Eyes with a high degree of myopia are at an increased risk of developing a serious condition like retinal detachment or glaucoma but any amount of myopia produces an increase in these risks.
Because of this, interventions have now been developed to attempt to slow the progression and therefore limit the degree of myopia in this developmental period. The sooner these interventions are put in place, the more likely the prescription will be kept at modest levels.
Myopia Management Options
There is currently no cure for Myopia and until now, young adults and children with myopia have been dependent on spectacles or contact lenses to correct their vision.
You can help your child by controlling environmental factors that may affect their development of myopia. They should:
- Attend regular eye examinations which are available under the NHS for all children under 16 years old & full time students under 19 years old
- Take regular breaks from prolonged screen use or near vision tasks
- Good posture helps create a good working distance from close tasks which ideally should be about 30cms
- Spend more time outdoors, ideally 2hrs minimum per day
However, in recent years, exciting new developments in contact lens and now glasses technology bring you the option to actually slow the progression of myopia.
Contact Lenses
One of the most frequently recommended contact lens is MiSight® by Coopervision. These contact lenses are soft daily disposable lenses that are specially designed to reduce the progression of myopia (or shortsightedness) in children. Lenses are worn through the day as a standard one day soft lens, for a minimum of six days a week.
Studies have suggested that the MiSight® one day disposable lens has been proven to slow down myopia by up to 59%. This means that if fitted early enough with this lens, most children will end up with less than half the strength of myopia than if fitted with a conventional contact lens or spectacles.
Book an appointmentStudies have suggested that the MiSight® one day disposable lens has been proven to slow down myopia by up to 59%. This means that if fitted early enough with this lens, most children will end up with less than half the strength of myopia than if fitted with a conventional contact lens or spectacles.
Spectacle Lenses
MiYOSMART is an innovative spectacle lens for myopia management. Based on a two-year clinical trial result, MiYOSMART is proven to curb myopia progression in children on average by 60% with its award-winning D.I.M.S. (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) technology.
We know that kids will be kids, these HOYA lenses are made with light, thin and impact-resistant material, safest for even the most active of kids, and have a UV coating to protect eyes from blue light (from screens to low level sunlight).
Our team will be able to guide you on how best to use these lenses with your child: spending more time outside, wearing them as much as possible (especially for high concentration tasks such as homework) and getting regular check ups with us.
Book an appointmentWe know that kids will be kids, these HOYA lenses are made with light, thin and impact-resistant material, safest for even the most active of kids, and have a UV coating to protect eyes from blue light (from screens to low level sunlight).
Our team will be able to guide you on how best to use these lenses with your child: spending more time outside, wearing them as much as possible (especially for high concentration tasks such as homework) and getting regular check ups with us.
What happens if you don’t wear your corrective lenses or contacts all of the time?
Even with myopia management, your child may need a stronger prescription as they continue to grow so we recommend regular visits to your optician and keeping up to date with their latest prescription.
Always take your Optometrist’s advice when it comes to corrective lenses as they will be able to offer you bespoke advice on a case by case. Talk to your optometrist to determine whether contact lenses, glasses, or perhaps a mixture of the two options is best for your child.
Begin your Myopia Management Journey today
If you’re interested in discovering more about myopia management, have any questions or would like to book a consultation with your child, call us on 01353 662674.