Myopia Management

Myopia Management

Myopia (short-sightedness) is on the increase. It affects 1.45 billion people worldwide, which is 27% of the world’s population.

Studies from around the world are showing a dramatic increase in Myopia in children in the last 20 years. Indeed, it is predicted to double in the next 20 years.

What are the risks with Myopia?

You would think this is good news for Optician’s, contact lens suppliers and Laser Eye providers?

However, it is bad news for Myopic adults and associated eyecare in years to come.

Myopic adults are at more risk of future eye problems such as:

• Glaucoma
• Retinal Detachment
• Myopic Macular Degeneration

The challenge for Optometrists is to find out why we are seeing such a large increase in Myopia and to find ways of slowing or halting its progress.

Over the last 5 years or so, there have been encouraging signs that we now have treatments available. These live under the banner of myopia management.

It is now known a number of factors that seem to influence the speed at which a prescription will change.

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Research is showing...

It is important for a child to spend time outdoors. It is recommended to spend 90 minutes outside each day, being sun smart and 60 minutes being active. The benefits of UV cannot be underestimated.

Trying to reduce time spent doing close up tasks. The constant use of smartphones, iPads and computers seems to be having an effect.

It is important to take regular breaks from reading and screen

Try to follow the elbow rule. which means keeping the forearm distance between the eyes and the book.

It is most important for children to have regular eye examinations to catch myopia at its earliest development.

So how do we achieve the aim to slow or possibly halt myopia progression?

There are generally 3 methods that Optometrists agree are having the best effect:

1. ‍Orthokeratology - A contact lens is worn overnight to gently reshape the front window of the eye (cornea) this slows down rate of progression as well as allowing freedom from contact lenses and spectacles during the day. Click here to learn more.
2. ‍Soft contact lenses - We offer a range of lenses that can slow down the rate of myopia progression.
3. ‍Specialist spectacles lenses - using peripheral defocus to reduce progression of myopia.

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Red Light Therapy

Red LED can help improve the appearance of fine lines on the under eyes and side of the eyes or ‘crows feet’. Red LED is a NASA-discovered therapy and is supported by over 3000 clinical studies for its ability to boost collagen and elastin in the skin to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles with regular use.

Click here to learn more.

Want to know more?

Check out our handy video and leaflet below for more information - Click to download our Myopia Leaflet. If you would prefer to speak to us about Myopia Management and how it may help, please feel free to email us at: myopiamanagement@simonfalk.co.uk.

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