Myopia Management

Myopia Management

Myopia is a common eye disorder that affects approximately one-third of the global population. It is a refractive error, meaning the eye doesn't correctly bend or refract light to create a clear image. The primary cause of myopia is a longer-than-normal eyeball, which causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
 

Symptoms of Myopia

Symptoms of myopia typically manifest during childhood and may include frequent squinting, headaches due to eyestrain, difficulty seeing distant objects, or needing to sit closer to the television or board at school. However, it's important to note that these symptoms can also be indicative of other eye conditions, so it's crucial to seek professional eye care for an accurate diagnosis.

The Importance of Slowing the Progression of Myopia

Unmanaged myopia can lead to high myopia later in life, which increases the risk for serious eye conditions such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts. These conditions can potentially lead to vision loss, which is why early myopia management is vital.
 

By managing myopia effectively, we can not only preserve vision but also improve the quality of life. Good vision is essential for performing everyday tasks, and it significantly impacts a child's learning and development.

Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, is a solution for myopia management. This non-surgical procedure involves wearing specially designed, rigid gas-permeable contact lenses overnight. These lenses gently reshape the cornea while you sleep, allowing you to see clearly during the day without the need for glasses or contact lenses. Ortho-K has shown promising results in slowing the progression of myopia, especially in children.

Atropine Drops

Atropine eye drops have long been used to treat certain eye conditions, and more recently, they've found a role in myopia management. Atropine works by temporarily paralyzing the eye's focusing mechanism, which help slow down the elongation of the eye, thus slowing the progression of myopia.

Multifocal Contact Lenses

Multifocal contact lenses have different areas designed to help you see clearly at varying distances. Research has shown that these lenses can slow the progression of myopia in children by focusing light in front of the peripheral retina, which help slow eye growth.