Myopia Control Therapy

Myopia has become an epidemic and here at AVO, we view myopia as a disease, not just a refractive error. When it comes to children whose myopia is progressing rapidly, early intervention is imperative and every diopter matters!

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kids wearing glasses for myopia

What is the Importance of Myopia?


What is myopia?

Myopia occurs if the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is too curved. As a result, when light enters the eye it doesn't focus correctly in the back of the eye and instead, focuses in front of the eye. This incorrect light focusing causes distant objects to appear blurry.


Myopia Progression

Myopia progression occurs when the eyeball elongates.


Prevalence of myopia

34% of the world is myopic and it has been estimated that by 2050, 50% of the global population will become myopic.


How fast does myopia progress?

Usually children's myopia progresses 0.5 to 1.0 Diopters per year and unfortunately, sometimes faster. Myopia usually changes the fastest between the ages of 8 to 18 years of age.


When does myopia stabilize?

The eyes continue to grow and develop until around the age of 20, but may sometimes take many years longer for myopia to stabilize especially if the person will be doing extensive near (i.e. pursuing higher education).

Why Myopia Control?


What causes the development of myopia?

While the exact cause of myopia is unknown, studies show that contributing factors include:

  • Genetics/ Inherited from parents: If one or both parents are nearsighted, there is an increased chance their children will also be nearsighted.
  • Excessive near focusing: Individuals who spend considerable time reading, working at a computer, or doing other intense close visual work may be more likely to develop myopia.
  • Reduced Outdoor Time: Individuals who spend more time indoors are more likely to develop myopia. Spendings more time outdoors is recommended to decrease the risk of myopia development.


How fast does myopia progress?

Usually children's myopia progresses 0.5 to 1.0 Diopters per year and unfortunately, sometimes faster.


Benefits of controlling myopia

  • Decrease risk for dangerous eye conditions.
  • Decrease reliance on glasses and contact lenses.
  • Better overall quality of vision.
  • Improve performance in school.
  • Better candidates for refractive surgery in the future.


What are the risks of not controlling myopia?

Higher levels of myopia and excessive eyeball elongation is associated with a higher risk of ocular eye conditions including:

  • Macular degeneration
  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Retina holes/tears/detachments
  • Vitreous floaters / detachments
  • Macular degeneration


​​​​​​​Types of Myopia Control Therapy


Misight 1-Day Contact Lenses

MiSight 1 day is the first FDA-approved daily disposable lenses for vision correction and myopia control in children ages 8-12 years. This lens slows down the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes. Treatment usually begins at the age of 8 years old and should continue until the child's prescription stops changing or progressing. Studies have shown that MiSight lenses reduce rate of myopia by 59% and reduce rate of eye elongation by 52%.

A 3-year clinical study showed:

  • 90% of children preferred wearing their MiSight lenses over their eyeglasses.
  • 90% of children could handle their MiSight lenses without the help of their parents.
  • Over 95% of parents reported that their children were happy with their MiSight lenses due to comfort, improved vision, ease of use and freedom from glasses.


Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses are small, rigid gas-permeable contact lenses that gently reshapes the front of the eye while your child sleeps. Overnight wear result in clear vision in the morning once lenses are removed. Treatment usually begins at the age of 6 years old (or younger) and should continue until the child's prescription stops changing or progressing. Studies have shown that ortho-k reduces rate of myopia by up to 50%.


Atropine Therapy

Atropine is an off-label therapy that uses eye drops to relax the focusing muscles of the eyes. Low dose atropine drops can help by preventing the elongation of the eyeball and therefore controlling myopia progression. Atropine drops are administered at night-time before going to bed and are used on a daily basis. We normally likely to recommend atropine therapy in conjunction with other treatments like Ortho-K, multifocal contact lenses, and MiSight 1-day contact lenses.

Let's Answer Some of Your Questions

Why do I need a comprehensive exam with a MiSight contact lens evaluation?

The FDA classifies contact lenses as medical devices and therefore a thorough diagnostic examination is necessary. This examination will allow our eye doctors to determine your child's most accurate prescription and also evaluate their overall health of the front and back of their eyes.

What is the difference between a regular soft lens vs. MiSight soft lenses?

A regular soft contact lens is meant to correct myopia and astigmatism in order for your child to see clearly at distance. However, these contact lenses have absolutely no effect in slowing down the progression of myopia. MiSight 1-day contact lenses are therapeutic lenses meant to slow down the progression of myopia.

Will starting myopia control therapy stop the progression of myopia?

Since a child is still growing and developing, myopia control therapy treatments are meant to slow down myopia progression, but are unable to completely alter or stop myopia from changing.

When should I start my child on myopia control therapy?

While beginning myopia control treatment early is important, it's never too late to begin. Myopia control varies on a case by case basis, but myopia can begin as early as 6 years of age and sometimes sooner!

Who can wear contact lenses?

Many patients are now contact lens candidates as soft contact lenses are now available in an extended range of parameters to correct: nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Good contact lens candidates are patients who are mature and responsible to maintain good contact lens habits to avoid contact lens-related infections.

How will my child put the contact lenses in?

We know that having your child put contact lenses for the first-time can be concerning, but our staff will gladly contact lens train them and you. Putting lenses in the eyes for the first time can be challenging and usually a child will need help from you until they are able to do it themselves. Once they are able to insert and remove the contact lenses on their own or with your help, you would then be able to take the lenses home to practice. The doctor will have you come back for another appointment to follow-up on their contact lens fit.

Can my child wear contact lenses?

A child's motivation and maturity level indicate if a child is a good candidate for contact lenses. The child needs to be responsible enough to care for the contact lenses and hygiene regimen. The optimal age to begin wearing contact lenses is usually around 10-12 years of age. An older child may have a higher motivation for contact lens wear and therefore adapt more quickly.

We may begin contact lens wear in children well younger than 10 years of age as we may be prescribing contact lenses for myopia control therapy. In this case, parents and/or guardians need to be more involved and help the child with insertion and removal, replacement schedule regiments, and lens care/hygiene support.


Myopia control

Importance of slowing down myopia progression.

MiSight

Another successful MiSight story.

Application and Removal Videos

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TIPS AND TRICKS

Step by step instructions on how to insert and remove contact lenses.

5 things to remember

Some things that can help you with application and removal

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