MYOPIA / short-sightedness
and children
What is mYopia?
Myopia (short-sightedness) is when your distance vision is blurry and your near vision is clearer.
Our eyes are supposed to grow from birth and stabilise in our teens. The biggest cause of Myopia is when the axial length of the eye grows longer than normal. When the eye grows too fast or continues to grow after our teenage years, this is called Myopia.
Excessive growth of the eye can lead to vision-threatening eye diseases later on in life.
WHAT INCREASES YOUR Risk of Myopia
AGE OF ONSET / The younger the age of Myopia onset, the faster it is likely to progress
MYOPIC PARENT(S) / Myopia is hereditary
OUTDOOR TIME / Aim to spend AT LEAST 2 HOURS a day outside
CLOSE WORK / Aim to spend LESS THAN 2 HOURS a day on screens
Myopia management
BEST TREATMENT OPTIONS to slow progression by at least 50%
MiYOSMART / Spectacle Lenses (Read about MiYOSMART Lenses HERE)
MiSight / 1 Day Contact Lenses (Read about MiSight Contact Lenses HERE)
Atropine Drops
NEXT-BEST TREATMENT OPTIONS to slow progression by about 30%
Biofinity Multifocal / Monthly Contact Lenses
Executive Bifocals / Spectacles
Atropine Drops
LESS EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS with minimal effects on slowing down Myopia
Multifocals / Spectacles
Atropine Drops
NON-EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS that don’t slow down Myopia Progression
Single Vision / Spectacles
Single Vision / Contact Lenses
VISUAL ENVIRONMENT ADVICE
SPEND TIME OUTDOORS / Spend at least 2 hours a day outdoors
ELBOW RULE / Keep a forearm distance from your eyes to your book
20/20 Rule / Every 20 minutes give your eyes a break by looking into the distance for 20 seconds
2 HOUR RULE / Aim to spend LESS THAN 2 HOURS a day on screens
benefits of myopia MANAGEMENT
SHORT-TERM
Less frequent changes in spectacle prescriptions.
Clearer vision between visits.
Better Vision related quality of life.
LONG-TERM
Reduced risk of eye diseases & vision impairment later on in life. Example Cataracts, Retinal Detachment & Myopic Maculopathy.
Less likely to end up with thick glasses.
Better uncorrected vision, which leads to less dependance on glasses.
Less chance of having to spend money on expensive thinner lenses when the child is older.
Easier path to Laser surgery.
Links + information