• Myopia affects a quarter of the world’s population (1.45 billion people).
• Myopia in children has reached epidemic proportions
• By 2020, it is estimated that the number of people with myopia will grow to one third of the world’s population (2.5 billion).
• The causes of myopia are both genetic and environmental. Increased urbanization and close range activities e.g. reading, smart devices and computer work, are increasing the incidence of myopia.
The myopic eye is longer than the non-myopic eye. This means that instead of focusing on the back of the eye (the retina), light focuses in front of it, causing blurred vision.
The onset of myopia at an early age in combination with family history brings with it the likelihood of life-long eye care, as well as affecting education and learning when left undetected.
Myopia also doubles the risk of serious ocular health problems such as glaucoma, retinal trauma, malfunction and detachment which can lead to vision loss and blindness.
Treatments shown to halt or slow the progression of myopia include, sleeping in contact lenses that re-shape the corneas overnight and then the patient does not need to wear glasses or contacts to see all day (ortho-k) vision therapy (eye exercises) in combination with low plus glasses as prescribed by your eye doctor and most recently, soft specialty multi-focal contact lenses worn daily.
Orthokeratology dates back more than 70 years. Eye doctors initially used a progression of rigid gas permeable lenses in a sequentially flatter base curve to compress the center of the cornea. As we entered the 1990’s new computer lens design and technology advanced the product development which led to today’s very custom designed lenses. Lenses today are made per patient, per eye using highly detailed topographical maps of each cornea and as such myopia control is highly achievable.
Vision therapy starts with an in depth behavioral evaluation by the doctor in order to determine which therapies will be most beneficial. Then, typically weekly visits with a VT therapist to learn new exercises to do at home and several progress evaluations with the doctor over a set number of weeks.
The newest addition to the market for myopia control are two daily disposable soft contact lens multifocal designs with a distance center. These may be most beneficial for very young patients who may have difficulty with handling the ortho-k lenses and as an introductory lens for an older child. Distance center multi-focals can result in a 50% reduction in the progression of myopia.
At your next annual eye exam, be sure to ask your eye doctor if you or your family members would benefit from any of these new treatments for myopia control.
Susan Halstead is a nationally and New York State Licensed Optician and the owner of Family Vision Care Center on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs.
