MYOPIA MANAGEMENT LENSES

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common eye condition characterized by the inability to clearly see objects that are far away. This is due to the eye being longer (having a greater axial length) and light rays landing in front of the retina, creating a blurry image. Myopia commonly develops during childhood and can progressively get worse as we grow and the axial length of our eyes grow, typically stabilizing in early adulthood. The chance of a child developing myopia has been attributed to both genetics and lifestyle.

•  If either one parent or both parents have myopia, the chances of their child developing myopia increases by 3X or 6X, respectively.

• Increased time on near devices, such as computers, laptops, tablets, or cellphones, as well as time spent in poor lighting have both been associated with a higher chance of developing myopia. In addition, reduced time outdoors, reduced vitamin D intake, and reduced dopamine levels also increase the risk of developing myopia.

While traditional glasses and contacts provide clearer vision, they don’t prevent myopia from worsening. Increased myopia and axial length can lead to more severe sight-threatening conditions, including retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts.

We now have contact lens options that are designed to reduce myopic progression. These myopia-managing contact lenses maintain clear vision for the child, but also prevent axial length growth by shifting where light rays focus on the retina. Reduced axial length and myopia in turn reduces the risk of more severe sight-threatening conditions in the future. In addition, contact lenses can be a better option for children due to a reduced likelihood of breaking or loosing glasses, no peripheral vision obstruction from spectacle edges, and can even be more comfortable than a pair of glasses. For some children contact lenses can even be a source of confidence in their appearance. Myopia managing contact lenses are available in both hard and soft materials. While these lenses don’t “cure” any existing myopia, they have the potential to reduce the progression and worsening of myopia. For this reason, initiating treatment early is key to reducing myopic progression.

Please give us a call to see if your child is a candidate for these myopia management contact lenses!