Myopia, known commonly as nearsightedness, has no cure. Currently, there are various treatments that show promise for controlling the progression. To learn more about these methods of myopia control and to see if you or your child is a good candidate, schedule an appointment at our Milton eye care clinic. Our optometrists and staff are looking forward to helping you.
Myopia control does more than help you avoid purchasing new prescription lenses each year. It enables kids to stop wearing unattractive eyeglasses (often with thick, bulky lenses), which makes it easier to play sports and enhances self-esteem.
Orthokeratology and multifocal contact lenses are two relatively new, effective ways to control the continued progression of nearsightedness. While they achieve the same goal, these methods work differently. Our eye doctors will meet with you to discuss the ideal solution for you or your child.
Orthokeratology (CRT)
Ortho-k, also termed Corneal Refractive Therapy, is a great option for anyone who wants sharp vision without wearing daytime contact lenses. With the aid of precise technology, we will map your cornea to provide you with customized contacts. Worn while sleeping, these contacts will reshape your cornea gently and correct any refractive error. During the day, you’ll see clearly without any glasses or contact lenses. You will start to see the full effects of Ortho-K after approximately 2 weeks.
Because it molds the cornea and suppresses eye growth, ortho-k has demonstrated great success with myopia control in kids. Candidates for ortho-k must be within the appropriate fitting parameters, which generally includes mild to moderate myopia.
Ortho-k for myopia control is ideal for many people, such as:
- People with an active lifestyle or sports players who love the convenience of sharp vision with no eyewear.
- Kids of all ages, especially those under age 18 – who do not qualify for refractive surgery
- People with allergies that make it difficult to wear lenses during the day
- Anyone with dry eyes, especially if you gaze at a computer for extended periods
- People who work in professions that require crisp vision without eyeglasses or contacts
Multifocal Contact Lenses
Bifocal and multifocal contacts have lens powers in different zones. Recent studies showed that when kids (between the ages of 8-12) wore these specialty lenses, it slowed their rate of myopia progression by approximately 30% per year!
Multifocal contacts are safe for kids to wear and appear to be just as effective at myopia control as ortho-k. In one study, the best results appeared when kids wore the lenses for at least five hours per day, but even greater improvement was evident when they wore them for seven hours a day or more. The earlier this treatment is started, the more effective it can be.
One disadvantage of using multifocal lenses for myopia control is that there may be a mild blurring of distance vision. Some children will complain that they can’t see clearly. Others will have no issues.
If you want to learn more about myopia control – and whether your child should try orthokeratology (CRT) or multifocal contact lenses – please schedule a consultation with our Milton, ON Optometrists
Management: the Stellest Lens
Did you know that more than 80%* of your child’s learning is done through their vision? Myopia can have a major impact on your child’s vision and life, and it can be permanent. More and more children are becoming myopic at a very young age, which increases their risk of developing high myopia and the risk of developing visual impairments as adults.
Now, thanks to Essilor® Stellest™ lenses, it is possible to control the progression of myopia. The earlier your child’s myopia progression is controlled, the less impact it will have on their eyesight in the long run. With Stellest lenses, see your children grow, not their myopia.
Early management can help slow the progression of myopia and reduce the risk of complications in adulthood.
Essilor Stellest lenses slow down myopia progression by 67% on average, compared to single vision lenses, when worn 12 hours a day*.
MYAH Optical Biometer + Corneal Topographer
MYAH provides a cost-effective and reliable method for establishing baseline axial length and tracking changes over a period of time. In addition, this adaptable tool incorporates corneal topography, pupillometry, anterior corneal wavefront analysis, and software for fitting contact lenses, making it a comprehensive device for monitoring axial length, evaluating visual acuity, and fitting specialty lenses.
Features
- Axial length measurements
- Trend reports (AL, Rx power, corneal power)
- Meibomian gland imaging
- Corneal topography aberrometry, and WTW
- Static and dynamic pupillometry
- Patient friendly with rapid capture
Abiliti® Overnight Lenses
ACUVUE® Abiliti® Overnight Therapeutic Lenses are orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses that are FDA-approved for myopia management in patients of all ages. These lenses have been successfully used in thousands of patients for over 15 years in markets around the world.
ACUVUE® Abiliti® Overnight Therapeutic Lenses temporarily reshape the cornea while you sleep, allowing for clear vision the next day. For most individuals, no other vision correction is needed.
ACUVUE® Abiliti™ 1-DaySoft Therapeutic Lenses
Abiliti 1-Day lenses are breakthrough innovation specifically targeted and designed for slowing the progression of myopia in children.
- Proven Efficacy
Shown to reduce axial elongation by 0.105mm, on average, in as little as 6 months.
- RingBoost™ Technology
Breakthrough soft therapeutic lens innovation, featuring RingBoost™ technology, specifically targeted and designed for slowing the progression of myopia in children. - Pediatric Eye-Inspired Design
Designed to provide the comfort you expect from ACUVUE® OASYS® 1-Day contact lenses with easy handling for children.