Myopia Control
What is Myopia?
Myopia (nearsightedness) is a condition that causes poor distance vision without spectacle correction. This is most commonly caused by increasing axial length of the eye (length from front to back). As children are growing, often their eyes are growing longer. This can cause a child’s nearsighted spectacle prescription (amount of myopia) to increase at a high rate over time.
A child’s risk of high myopia is increased if they become myopic (nearsighted) at a young age. Aside from poorer vision, high myopia can be sight-threatening due to the much higher risk for eye disease. Myopia is becoming a large public health risk around the world: It is estimated that by 2050, myopia will affect 50% of the world’s population and 10% of the world’s population will have high myopia.
How does Myopia Control Work?
Myopia Control is a newer field of Optometry which uses different types of glasses, contact lenses, or eye drops to help slow down the year-to-year increase in prescription (myopia). Myopia Control does NOT completely stop progression of myopia, but it can slow progression by 25-60%. This reduction can be life-changing in preventing a person from sight-threatening consequences of high myopia. Myopia control is well-supported by peer-reviewed studies.
Both of our doctors have completed extensive training on how to control myopia in children who are at risk for fast progression. We are proud to offer this service and to be on the forefront of this personalized field. We firmly believe that myopia control techniques can be life-changing. Ask us more at your child's annual comprehensive eye exam. Click the link below to read Dr. Laura Armitage's handout giving an overview of Myopia control.