Myopia, also called short-sightedness is one of the most common vision conditions (behind the retina.) It causes blurry distance vision, while objects up close remain clear and in focus. This most happens because the eyeball grows longer than normal. Physically, it means when light enters the eye it focuses in the front of the retina instead of on it (with long sightedness or hypermetropia it focuses behind the retina).
Myopia is becoming more widespread and is reaching epidemic proportions as people spend more time focusing on close work using their digital devices.
Once Myopia starts in early childhood it will usually progresses every year until it may stabilise in the mid-20s.
As the Myopia goes up and reaches -5.00D or greater, it is also increases the risk of future eye diseases. These diseases are glaucoma, cataract, macular disease and retinal detachment.
Myopia is defined as having a focusing or refractive error of at least -0.50D in one or both eyes.
The opposite of Myopia is Hyperopia (also called Hypermetropia or long sightedness), which means having a refractive error of +0.50 or greater. Hyperopia can cause blurry close vision as with reading or even computers.
Higher levels of Hyperopia may cause blurry distance as well.
Optometrists distinguish between Myopia and Hyperopia during an eye examination. One condition may mimic the other and several specialised tests may be necessary. Reading letters on a GP’s chart or at a school vision screening will not give any information or diagnosis about what the person’s eye condition is.
Myopia generally develops in the childhood teenage years and this can be influenced by a combination of genetics, environment and other visual characteristics.
Some children are more at risk of developing myopia compared to others. Having any of the following risk factors puts a child at an increased risk of developing Myopia:
Age
The earlier the myopia begins the quicker the progression
Family History
Having 1 myopic parent = 3X higher risk (2 parents = 6X risk)
Ethnic Background
Myopia is much more common in children of East Asian descent.
Refractive Error
Children should be normally long-sighted (hyperopia).
Time Spent Outdoors
Less than 1.5 hours per day increases Myopia risk.
Time Spent on Near Work
More than 2.5 hours per day increases Myopia risk
Unfortunately, even a small amount of Myopia increases the risk of many eye diseases. The higher the Myopia, the higher the risk.
Here are some examples of increased risk, compared to someone that does not have Myopia:
| Amount of Myopia | Retinal Detachment Risk | Glaucoma Risk | Cataract Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| -1.00 to -3.00 | 3.1X higher risk | 4X higher risk | 2.1X higher |
| --3.00 to -6.00 | 9X higher risk | 4X higher risk | 3.1X higher |
| -6.00 to -9.00 | 21.5X higher risk | 4X higher risk | 5.5X higher |
| 9.00 or greater | 44.2X higher risk | 4X higher risk | 5.5X higher |
| Macular disease | Risk level |
|---|---|
| -1.00 to -3.00 | 2.2X higher risk |
| -3.00 to -6.00 | 10-40X higher risk |
| -6.00 to -9.00 | 127X higher risk |
| -9.00 or greater | 349X higher risk |
| Treatment | Effect on slowing down myopia |
|---|---|
| Qrthokeratology lenses | 30-56% |
| Multifocal soft contact lenses | 25-72% |
| Atropine eye drops | 34-96% |
| Progressive glasses | 11-33% |
In this practice the multifocal soft contact lenses approach is used with good results.
But there is light at the tunnel; there are simple strategies that can delay the onset of Myopia down once it starts. Delaying or preventing Myopia can reduce the risk of getting high Myopia, and thus reduce the risk of future eye disease.
Spectacle correction can make the distance vision clear, but they do not stop myopia from getting worse. Myopia control treatments aim to slow down or stop Myopia from getting worse.
To get a better idea how the strategies listed below can slow you or your child’s Myopia, you can use a Myopia Calculator.
(https:/calculator.brienholdenvision.org/)
Research has shown that both these modalities can reduce myopia progression by 60%.
For professional diagnosis of myopia in South Yarra and St Kilda, get in touch with us today to book a professional consultation.
Learn about how MiSight® 1 day* can help slow myopia progression in age- appropriate kids.
If your child has been diagnosed with myopia (also known as nearsightedness), you likely have questions about myopia treatment options that are available for your child and how effective these treatments are in helping to stop your child's vision from getting worse.
As a parent, you want what's best for your child. If your son or daughter has blurry distance vision that's associated with myopia, that includes choosing the best treatment to help them not only see clearly, but also put them on the best path for success in school and reaching their future goals, no matter how big their dreams.
*INDICATIONS AND BRIEF SAFETY INFORMATION for MiSight 1 day soft contact lens:
Indications MiSight® 1 Day (omafilcon A) Soft (Hydrophilic) Contact Lenses for Daily Wear is a prescription device indicated for the correction of nearsightedness and for slowing the progression of nearsightedness in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism.
MiSight® 1 day is the first and only one for myopia control in age-appropriate children. But you might still be wondering what the differences are between MiSight® 1 day other alternative myopia management treatment options.
Here are the top 5 benefits that are unique to MiSight® 1 day daily soft contact lenses.
MiSight 1 day soft contact lenses are the first and only FDA-approved* product that are proven to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8- 12 at the initiation of treatment.
Furthermore, MiSight 1 day contact lenses are specifically designed for age- appropriate children* with myopia, backed by rigorous scientific evidence, and have received regulatory approvals in many countries around the world.
Unlike a correction option alone, MiSight 1 day contact lenses offer wearers a unique two-in-one benefit; they correct blurry distance vision (nearsightedness) and help control the progression of myopia in age- appropriate children.
The key to delivering the dual benefits of MiSight 1 day is ActivControl® Technology which uses an innovative optic zone ring design with alternating vision and correction zones:
Two corrections zones to correct myopia so age-appropriate children can enjoy clear, spectacle-free vision.
Two treatment zones create a myopic defocus, so instead of light rays falling short of the retina, images focus at the front of the retina. This treatment effect signals the eye to slow the rate at which it grows longer, minimizing the worsening of myopia over time.
*INDICATIONS AND BRIEF SAFETY INFORMATION for MiSight 1 day soft contact lens:
Indications MiSight® 1 Day (omafilcon A) Soft (Hydrophilic) Contact Lenses for Daily Wear is a prescription device indicated for the correction of nearsightedness and for slowing the progression of nearsightedness in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism.
Watch this video to learn more about myopia, and ActivControl® Technology.
MiSight® 1 day is backed by the longest continuous soft contact lens study for myopia control.
In over 7 years of international clinical study, results show that the mean axial elongation showed no evidence of rebound; meaning myopia control benefits from MiSight® 1 day are retained with further eye growth reverting back to age-expected average myopic progression rates after treatment has ended.
Over the initial three years of the study, MiSight® 1 day slowed myopia progression in children by 59% on average,+1 and 41% of eyes had no progression.|2 Additionally, on average, children in the study wearing MiSight® progressed less than -1.00 diopter over 6 years,
Kids interests change all the time, but families can now turn to MiSight® 1 day to help protect their vision from changing too.
Myopia is irreversible and typically progresses rapidly in younger children,6 but with MiSight®1 day,* children can get the clear vision they need today to participate in school, sports, and many other extracurricular activities while helping to protect it from getting worse for whatever’s in their future
MiSight® 1 day has also been proven to be child-friendly and easy to use for age-appropriate children.1 In fact, children as young as 8 years old have shown they are able to handle their lenses confidently soon after an initial fitting.
In addition to the clinical benefits, studies show that contact lens wear is likely to improve a child’s self-perception of their physical appearance, athletic competence, and social acceptance.
In addition to correcting myopic refractive error, a two-year clinical trial shows that MIYOSMART lenses with D.I.M.S. (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) technology work with slowing down myopia progression on average by 60% and halt myopia progression by 21.5%,2 going a long way toward protecting your child's vision and well- being in the long-term.
By slowing down the progression of myopia and its associated eyesight deterioration, children can have improved vision and more enjoyable lives.
2 Lam CSY, Tang WC, Tse DY, Lee RPK, Chun RKM, Hasegawa K, Qi H, Hatanaka T, To CH. Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses slow myopia progression: a 2-year randomised clinical trial. British Journal of Ophthalmology. Published Online First: 29 May 2019. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-313739
Cutting edge research conducted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University showed that myopia progression can be controlled by providing clear vision and constant myopic defocus simultaneously.
Principles of how D.I.M.S. Technology works in MIYOSMART
The D.I.M.S. technology in MIYOSMART was clinically proven to succeed in the control of myopia progression, and in 2018, it won the prestigious Grand Prize, Grand Award, and Special Gold Medal at the 46th International Exhibitions of Inventions of Geneva, Switzerland.
Now also available in light activated changing colour to dark grey 5%) lenses.