Myopia Control

In recent years, myopia, also known as nearsightedness, has become a significant global health concern, affecting millions of people of all ages. The prevalence of myopia has been steadily increasing, with studies indicating that nearly half of the world's population could be myopic by the year 2050. While corrective lenses have long been the primary solution for myopia, the focus is now shifting towards a proactive approach known as "myopia control." In this article, we will explore what myopia control is, how it works, its benefits, and why it is essential to consider this approach for nurturing clear sight for a lifetime.

Myopia is a common refractive error where distant objects appear blurry, while close objects can be seen clearly. This occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too steep, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Although myopia is primarily corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses, it can progress over time, leading to higher prescriptions and potential vision-threatening  complications latter in life. 

Now is the time to make a difference in your children future vision and eye health.

Myopia control is a proactive strategy aimed at slowing down the progression of myopia in children and teenagers. The goal is to intervene early to reduce the risk of developing high myopia, which is associated with an increased likelihood of eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts later in life.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): As discussed in a previous article, Ortho-K involves wearing custom-designed gas-permeable contact lenses while sleeping, temporarily reshaping the cornea to correct myopia during the day. Studies have suggested that Ortho-K may also slow down the progression of myopia in children.

Multifocal Contact Lenses: Multifocal contact lenses are designed with different zones for various distances, including distance and near vision. These lenses can help slow down myopia progression by altering the peripheral focus of light on the retina.

Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops have shown efficacy in reducing myopia progression. Atropine is a medication that relaxes the focusing mechanism in the eye, thereby slowing down the elongation of the eyeball.

Soft Bifocal or Multifocal Eyeglasses: Similar to multifocal contact lenses, soft bifocal or multifocal eyeglasses can help control myopia progression by altering the way light is focused on the retina.

Outdoor Activities: Spending more time outdoors, at least 2.30 hours per day, especially during early childhood, has been associated with a reduced risk of developing myopia.

The benefits of myopia control extend beyond providing clear vision. By implementing strategies to slow down myopia progression, individuals may experience:

Reduced Risk of High Myopia: Slowing down myopia progression can significantly lower the risk of developing high myopia, which is linked to serious eye complications later in life.

Decreased Dependency on Stronger Lenses: Myopia control can reduce the rate at which a person's prescription increases, leading to fewer changes in corrective lenses.

Better Long-Term Eye Health: By reducing the risk of eye diseases associated with high myopia, myopia control supports better long-term eye health and vision.

Improved Quality of Life: Children and teenagers who benefit from myopia control are likely to experience better overall vision and a more positive impact on their daily activities and academic performance.

Myopia Management Program at Shekhar Eye Research: Once your child is enrolled in our Myopia Management program, a detailed comprehensive eye exam is done and myopia control strategy is planed as per the child eye condition and parental history of Myopia. 

Regular follow ups to keep a check on the progression of Myopia with highly precise equipment and instruments. Special counseling is offered to the family with Myopic children for lifestyle change along with healthy diet and nutritional suggestions to maintain good eye healthy.

Myopia control is a proactive approach to managing the progression of nearsightedness, offering numerous benefits beyond clear vision. By implementing various methods such as Ortho-K, multifocal contact lenses, atropine eye drops, and outdoor activities, we can significantly reduce the risk of developing high myopia and its associated eye complications. If you or your child have been diagnosed with myopia, consider discussing myopia control options with our highly trained and experienced eye care professional at Shekhar Eye Research. Nurturing clear sight from an early age can lead to a lifetime of healthy vision and a brighter future.

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