Myopia Control Program
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a condition where distant objects appear blurry because the eye grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina. Controlling myopia is important because unchecked progression can lead to high myopia, which increases the risk of serious eye problems like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts. Additionally, managing myopia in children helps maintain better vision long-term and reduces the need for stronger prescriptions. Early intervention with a myopia control program can slow its progression and safeguard eye health.
A myopia control program is designed to slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness), particularly in children. It typically involves specialized treatments like:
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) is the fitting of specially designed rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses that you wear overnight. This is also known as orthokeratology (ortho-k). These special lenses are retainers for the eye that temporarily reshape the cornea (the clear layer on the front of the eye), allowing you to see clearly without the use of glasses or contacts during waking hours. The retainers must be worn nightly during sleep in order to reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses during the day. The retainer will help keep the eye from changing which may slow the progression of near-sightedness in kids under the age of 18.
Atropine Eye Drops
Atropine is a medication that has shown to effectively slow down the progression of myopia by slowing down or stopping axial elongation. Low dose atropine is considered to be very safe and effective in young children between the 5-18 years of age for myopia control. Atropine eye drops represent a significant advancement in the management of myopia in children. By slowing the progression of myopia, atropine can help reduce the future risk of severe eye conditions and improve the quality of life for patients. One drop of atropine is instilled in each eye at bedtime everyday. While there are potential side effects, careful monitoring and patient education can help manage these risks, making atropine a viable and effective option for myopia control.
The goal is to preserve vision quality and reduce the risk of high myopia-related complications later in life.
Book a myopia consultation today! We can measure your child's axial length to assess risk factors for future eye growth. Early detection is crucial for managing myopia and preventing potential long-term vision issues.