Myopia
We used to be able to correct myopia, now we can treat myopia.
Myopia is the clinical term for short sightedness. This occurs when the eye focusses light in front of the retina (light sensitive layer of cells at back of the eyeball), rather than on it. This means distant objects appear blurred and close objects remain clear. Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or too powerful. The development of myopia can occur at any age but more likely to start in childhood. Once myopia begins it usually continues to deteriorate until young adulthood but may stabilise before then. 1 in 3 people in the UK (1) are affected by myopia and it is estimated half the world’s population will be myopic by 2050.
Causes of Myopia
Myopia can be a result of family history, lifestyle, or both. Children who have short-sighted parents are more likely to inherit the condition. If both parents are myopic, there is a 50% chance their children will be myopic. Increasing evidence suggest extended periods of time doing high concentration, close vision tasks including the use of smartphones, tablets and computers can increase myopic symptoms (2). Ensuring children regularly spend time playing outside and using computer screens safely helps to reduce their risk of becoming short sighted. This can include the 20 20 20 rule (every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds).
Risk factors associated with Myopia
All myopia and especially higher prescriptions (> minus 6.00 dioptres) are linked to an increased risk of developing eye conditions and complications such as Cataract, Glaucoma, Myopic macular degeneration and Retinal detachment later in life.
Night Contact Lenses
Ortho-k are rigid gas permeable contact lenses worn overnight while sleeping to gently flatten the front surface of the eye which temporarily reduces the myopia. These contact lenses are removed in the morning so the wearer can have clear vision all day without having to wear spectacles or contact lenses. Ortho K lenses are great for people who swim and have an active lifestyle. Overnight lenses are generally suitable for myopia up to minus 5.50 dioptres.
Hoya MiYOSMART Spectacle Lenses
In early 2021, the first spectacle lens for myopia management became available in the UK. MiYOSMART are a new, non-invasive myopia management spectacle lens which is both safe and convenient for the wearer. The lenses provide vision correction, whilst working to reduce the progression of myopia. They are easy to adapt to and are suitable for full time daily wear for a wide range of activities.
Day Contact Lenses
These are daily disposable, dual focus contact lenses worn during the day to correct vision and slow down the progression of myopia in children. Lenses are worn throughout the day as a standard daily disposable soft contact lens, for a minimum of six days a week.
Please access the Childhood Short Sightedness quiz using the link below.
https://coopervision.co.uk/eye-health-and-vision/childhood-short-sightedness/assessment-tool
None of the interventions described are likely to stop myopia progression, just slow it down. The approaches described slow myopia progression by approximately 50%, these are average results and cannot be guaranteed in an individual case. For some children, myopia progression may be slowed more but for others less, or not at all.
References
- NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/short-sightedness/
- Relation between Near work and Myopia Progression in Student Population. Mater Sociomed,2014: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4033135/