Discover Your Best Vision with Wainwright Eye Care

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error where distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly. It occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina.

If left untreated, myopia can progress over time, potentially leading to higher levels of myopia in adulthood. This can increase the risk of serious eye conditions, including:

• Retinal Detachment
• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Macular Degeneration

Managing myopia early helps slow its progression, reducing the risk of these complications later in life.

Several factors can influence how quickly myopia progresses. The table below outlines the relationship between risk factors and myopia progression.                                       

Age                                                       

Progression is most rapid in children aged 6-16 years.

Family History of Myopia       

Increases risk; children of myopic parents are more likely to develop myopia and experience faster progression.

Time Spent Outdoors             

Less time outdoors is associated with faster myopia progression. Studies suggest 2+ hours/day outdoors may reduce risk.

Near Work Activities             

Excessive near work (e.g., reading, screen time) is linked to faster progression of myopia.

Ethnicity                                         

Higher risk is seen in individuals of East Asian descent.

Myopia is categorized into different levels, and the risks of eye complications increase with higher myopia.

Low Myopia

-0.25 to -3.00 D

Low risk, but may increase with progression.

Moderate Myopia

-3.00 to -6.00 D

Moderate risk of complications if not managed.

High Myopia

-6.00 D or greater

High risk for retinal detachment, glaucoma, macular degeneration.

There are several effective treatment options available to slow the progression of myopia in children and adolescents.

There are several effective treatment options available to slow the progression of myopia in children and adolescents.

• What It Is: Ortho-K involves wearing specially designed contact lenses overnight that gently reshape the cornea. By wearing the lenses while sleeping, children can enjoy clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses.
• Benefits:
  • No need for daytime glasses or contacts.
  • Effective in slowing myopia progression.
  • Non-invasive and reversible.

                  Ideal For: Children who are still growing and at risk for myopia progression.

  
  

• What It Is: MiSight® is a soft, daily disposable contact lens designed specifically for myopia management. It works by using special lens designs that help slow the elongation of the eye, which is the main cause of myopia progression.
• Benefits:
  • Convenient daily disposable lenses.
  • Clinically proven to slow myopia progression in children.
  • Comfortable and easy to use.
• Ideal For: Children or teenagers who are comfortable with contact lenses.

• What It Is: Atropine eye drops, typically used in very low doses (0.01%), have been shown to reduce the rate of myopia progression. These drops work by relaxing the focusing system of the eye, reducing the stimulus for eye elongation.
• Benefits:
  • Easy to administer.
  • Can be combined with other treatments like glasses or contact lenses.
  • Non-invasive and well-tolerated in most children.
• Ideal For: Children who may not tolerate contact lenses or Ortho-K.
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In some cases, a combination of treatments may provide the best results. For example:

• Ortho-K or MiSight lenses paired with atropine drops can offer a multifaceted approach, tackling myopia progression from different angles.
• Parental Involvement: Encouraging outdoor activity and limiting excessive screen time can further help in managing myopia.
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• Annual Eye Exams: Regular visits to an eye care professional are essential to monitor myopia progression and adjust treatment as needed.
• Vision Tracking: Patients using treatments like Ortho-K, MiSight, or atropine should be closely monitored for any signs of side effects or changes in their vision.