Myopia, also called nearsightedness, is increasingly a concern for many parents. However, many parents aren’t sure how to best control the condition. What are the best options? In particular, are myopia control lenses worth it?
Yes—lenses for myopia control are worth it. Not only do these lenses help to correct children’s vision, they’ve also been shown to slow the rate at which myopia gets worse over time.
If you’re concerned that your child might have myopia, contact our eye care professionals and schedule a children’s eye exam.
What is Myopia?
Myopia is an eye condition that causes distant objects to seem blurry, while objects seen up close are clear. Myopia is common, affecting up to 30% of the population, and is increasingly occurring in children at earlier ages than in previous generations.
In a normal eye, light passes through the cornea and is bent or focused so that it lands directly on the retina, a layer at the back of the eye that transmits visual data to the brain.
In an eye with myopia, the eyeball is elongated or the cornea is too steep, bending light so that it lands in front of the retina. This causes the brain to receive a blurry signal when an object is far away.
Signs of myopia can include:
- Difficulty seeing faraway objects
- Squinting
- Eye strain
Often, myopia develops in children, progressing alongside aging and stabilizing sometime in their twenties. On the surface, myopia can seem like a minor condition, but severe forms—also called high myopia—can cause complications later in life. These complications include an increased risk for several eye diseases, such as:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Retinal Detachment
- Myopic macular degeneration
While myopia can’t be treated, treatment can slow its progression. These treatments are collectively referred to as myopia control.
While regular glasses and contact lenses alone can correct myopia, they may not address the underlying condition.
Myopia Control
Myopia control is a treatment strategy that involves slowing the extent to which a child’s myopia gets worse over time.
Controlling myopia has both short and long-term benefits. In the short term, myopia control results in children having better eyesight, meaning they can see better even when their vision isn’t corrected. In the long term, it reduces the chance of eye diseases.
Common approaches to myopia control include:
- Low-concentration atropine drops: When administered daily before bed, low doses of these drops can help slow or prevent the onset of myopia.
- Peripheral defocus glasses: These glasses feature specially designed lenses that redirect peripheral light to focus in front of the retina, while maintaining sharp central vision. This adjustment helps to slow the growth of the eyeball, which is a major factor in the progression of myopia. As a daily wear option, peripheral defocus glasses offer a straightforward and non-invasive approach to managing myopia, requiring no additional maintenance or risk of side effects. The ease of use make these our preferred treatment option.
- Peripheral Defocus Soft Contact lenses: These contact lenses work in the same was as peripheral defocus glasses but are made in a traditional soft contact lens material.
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses: Ortho-k lenses are worn at night and reshape the cornea while you sleep. While helpful, we find that for many patients the cost is prohibitive, and needing to properly care for and store these lenses to avoid damage or losing them is inconvenient.
Are Myopia Control Lenses Worth It?
The short and sweet answer is yes—myopia control lenses can help slow myopia progression while also correcting children’s vision.
Peripheral defocus glasses are specifically designed to alter how light is focused on the peripheral part of the retina, which helps to slow the growth of the eyeball and, consequently, the progression of myopia. Unlike traditional lenses that focus light directly onto the retina, peripheral defocus glasses create a different focal point for light entering the eye from the periphery, encouraging the eye to grow in a way that reduces the progression of myopia. Studies have shown that these glasses can effectively slow myopia progression by a significant percentage, offering a practical and non-invasive solution for children.
Consider Peripheral Defocus Glasses in Saskatoon
Because myopia tends to get worse as a child ages, early intervention is crucial for slowing the progression of the condition. While there are several different approaches to myopia control, multifocal contact lenses and glasses can both be excellent choices.
These lenses not only correct a child’s vision in the present but also slow myopia progression over time, thereby helping to preserve your child’s vision in the future.
At Pinehouse Eyecare, we’re committed to providing excellent service. If you suspect that your child might have myopia, if you’re interested in myopia control, or if you have any other questions about your or a loved one’s eye health, don’t hesitate to book an appointment today.
