Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common vision condition affecting both adults and children. Left unmanaged, it can lead to significant vision problems and eye diseases. However, with appropriate intervention, its progression can be slowed down, reducing the risk of complications.
Myopia occurs when the eye is too long or the cornea has excessive curvature, leading to difficulty in focusing light onto the retina. It often develops during childhood and can worsen over time.
Various genetic conditions
Environmental
Lifestyle factors
Visual habits
Medical conditions
Limited sunlight exposure
Mental health stress
Childhood myopia can lead to increasingly stronger prescriptions, thicker glasses, and a higher risk of eye diseases such as retinal detachments, macular disease, glaucoma, and early cataracts.
There are two main methods to control myopia progression: optical and pharmaceutical
Contact Lenses: Novel soft daily disposable contact lenses like MiSight are worn throughout the day to alter the focus of light from the periphery, slowing down myopia progression by approximately 59%.
Specially Designed Optical Lenses: Lenses such as Hoya MiyoSmart or Jena Refocus lenses are available to control myopia progression by altering the focus of light.
Atropine Eye Drops: Atropine, when applied as eye drops before bedtime, can slow down prescription changes by about 50%.
Myopia control is crucial for preserving eye health and quality of life, especially in children. Through a combination of early detection, monitoring, and appropriate interventions, the progression of myopia can be effectively managed, reducing the risk of future vision problems and eye diseases.