Myopia, or short-sightedness, can be managed effectively when detected early. With the right evidence-based treatments, we can slow its progression and help protect your child’s long-term eye health. Here’s how our optometrists approach myopia management:
Our caring optometrists are here to help guide you through managing myopia with the latest evidence-based treatments, providing a caring and supportive environment to ensure the best outcomes for your child.
How We Manage Myopia
Comprehensive Eye Examination
We begin with a thorough eye exam to understand the extent of your child’s myopia and any underlying contributing factors. Our optometrists will assess your child’s visual acuity, axial length, eye health, and any other relevant aspects to help us determine the most suitable treatment options.
Night Lenses (Ortho-K)
Night lenses are specialised rigid lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea, improving daytime vision without the need for spectacles or contact lenses. Customised to fit your child’s eye shape, night lenses have been shown to slow myopia progression by up to 55% compared to single-vision glasses. Night lenses are considered the gold standard for myopia management and offer clear vision throughout the day, making them perfect for active children.
Advantages:
- Considered the gold standard for myopia management.
- Clear vision throughout the day without the need for spectacles or contact lenses.
- Active children can run, swim, and play without restriction.
- Treatment is reversible and can be stopped at any time.
MiSight Lenses
MiSight lenses are daily disposable soft contact lenses designed to slow myopia progression by up to 59%. These lenses are worn during the day and provide immediate clear vision, without the need for cleaning or disinfection. MiSight is an excellent option for children who prefer contact lenses, though it is best suited for children with myopia up to -6.00 and without astigmatism.
Advantages:
- No cleaning or disinfecting needed, as the lenses are disposed of daily.
- Immediate clear vision after insertion.
- More comfortable than night lenses, ideal for children with sensitive eyes.
HOYA Miyosmart (DIMS)
HOYA Miyosmart lenses are custom-designed spectacle lenses that provide myopia control, shown to reduce myopia progression by up to 52%. These lenses are a great option for children who prefer to wear glasses and are non-invasive on the cornea. They offer clear vision right from the start but require a well-fitting frame for optimal results.
Advantages:
- Non-invasive to the cornea.
- Immediate clear vision from the outset.
- Ideal for children who are less active and comfortable with glasses.
Atropine Eye Drops
Atropine eye drops in low doses (0.01% to 0.05%) can slow myopia progression by about 30%-50%. Used in combination with spectacles or contact lenses, atropine is a simple and non-invasive treatment option for myopia management. Atropine drops are applied before bedtime and are an excellent choice for children who are not active enough for contact lenses or glasses.
Advantages:
- Non-invasive to the cornea.
- Great for children who prefer not to wear contact lenses or glasses during the day.
Multifocal Soft Contact Lenses
These lenses provide different focal powers in one lens, helping to slow myopia progression. Multifocal soft contact lenses are a great alternative to regular contact lenses and reduce the dependency on spectacles while offering myopia control. These lenses are available as daily or monthly disposables.
Advantages:
- Reduces reliance on spectacles while offering myopia management.
- Offers improved vision at all distances with concentric rings of multiple prescriptions in one lens.
Progressive Lenses
Progressive lenses are spectacle lenses with multiple powers, offering a smooth transition between near, intermediate, and distance vision. Like multifocal contact lenses, they help control myopia progression while improving overall vision. These lenses are ideal for children who struggle with maintaining focus at varying distances.
Advantages:
- No visible lines, unlike bifocals or trifocals.
- Smooth transition between near, middle, and distant vision without abrupt changes
Why Early Detection and Treatment Matters
Myopia is a condition that can worsen over time, but with early intervention, we can slow its progression and reduce the risk of more severe eye conditions later in life. Prevention is key, but if you’ve already discovered that your child has myopia, rest assured we are here to help manage it effectively. Early treatment is crucial for slowing its progression and protecting your child’s long-term eye health.
Protect Your Child’s Vision with Expert Myopia Management
At Eyecare Kids, our optometrists are passionate about myopia management and offer the latest evidence-based treatments to help your child see clearly and reduce the risk of more severe eye conditions in the future. We’re committed to guiding you through every step of the process to ensure the best outcomes for your child’s vision.
If you’re concerned about your child’s vision or suspect they may have myopia, don’t wait – schedule a comprehensive eye exam with us.
Our caring optometrists are dedicated to providing personalised care, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up care, all in a warm and friendly environment.
Book an appointment today and take the first step towards better vision and long-term eye health for your child!
