Dimming Dreams: Myopia is Stealing Clear Vision from Millions
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common eye condition that affects people of all ages. It is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide.
34% of the world is myopic—approximately 42% of the US population and 80% of Asian countries have myopia. The statistical trend of the growing prevalence of myopia predicts that more than 50% of the global population will be myopic by 2050 with one billion at risk of subsequent sight-threatening complications.
Myopic patients who have abnormally longer eyeballs are at risk of developing eye diseases.
Myopic patients who have abnormally longer eyeballs are at risk of developing Cataracts, Glaucoma, Retinal Detachment, and Macular Degeneration.
Although traditional myopia corrections such as conventional eyeglasses, contact lenses, LASIK, and other refractive surgeries effectively provide clear vision for myopic patients, these are not able to control the progression of myopia and decrease the risks of eye diseases.
Myopia Unveiled
​Common symptoms of myopia are blurring of vision when looking at far, light sensitivity, eyestrain, headaches, and squinting to see clearly.
​Individuals with nearsighted parents and or siblings have greater chances of being nearsighted. Myopia is also more prevalent in Asian (especially Japanese and Chinese), Jewish, and Middle Eastern descent.
​Studies show that individuals who spend more time indoors doing near-focused activities (such as computer work, video games, and reading) have higher rates of myopia than those who spend more time outdoors.
Good News:
We can control myopia progression through evidence-based myopia control strategies.
Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology reshapes the cornea with the use of oxygen permeable molds that are only worn during sleep. It’s like orthodontics but for the eyes. It corrects vision overnight and eliminates the need to use eyeglasses or contact lenses during the day without undergoing LASIK or refractive surgery.
Center-Distance Multifocal Contact Lenses
Just like orthokeratology, center-distance multifocal contact lenses have concentric zones that correct and control myopia.
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​Current studies show that orthokeratology and peripheral defocus contact lenses can reduce the progression of myopia by up to 60%.
Myopia Control Eyeglasses with Lenslets
​Myopia control eyeglasses have a uniform arrangement of lenslets that induce myopic defocus and mitigate hyperopic defocus. Through the lenslets, myopia control eyeglasses help provide clear vision and control myopia progression both at the same time.
Cycloplegic Eyedrops
​Studies show that cycloplegic eye drops relax the eye muscles and increase choroidal thickness in children. This has been correlated with a reduction in the rate of axial eye growth and a decrease in myopia progression.
​Light Therapy
Repeated Low-level Red Light Therapy is used to safely and effectively control myopia. It is currently the only method that have shown shortening of >0.05mm of the axial length of the eyes in only 3 months.
Vision Therapy
Most myopic individuals have accommodative spasms, and poor focusing skills. Although vision therapy is not known to reverse myopia, it is successful in reducing accommodative spasms and increases the focusing efficiency of myopic individuals.
​Using a combination of any of the above myopia control options can increase the efficacy to 90%.
Are you concerned about myopia?
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An experienced myopia control specialist, like Dr. Dawn, can help! They can advise on the best myopia management options for you or your child based on individual needs. Myopia control is important for preventing vision problems in life. With early intervention, myopia can be slowed or even prevented.
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If you are concerned about your child's myopia, schedule an appointment with us today.
