What is Myopia

Myopia (short-sightedness) involves the eyeball being too long or too powerful. This results in blurred distance vision, however vision for close objects is clear within a certain range of distances.

More children are getting myopia at younger ages – partly due to a rise in sedentary indoor lifestyles and an increasing amount of time spent in near activities.

The younger a child develops myopia, the further it evolves, the higher it becomes. Even with corrected lenses, their daily life may be impacted after a few months.

Studies showed that high myopia may lead to  vision impairment that can no longer be corrected through standard lenses. It can even increase risk of ocular complications later in life.

Myopia may impact children’s well-being and development

• 80% of all learning occurs through vision.*
• 1 out of 3 children can’t see the board clearly.**

*Eyeglasses for Global Development: Bridging the Visual Divide; World Economic Forum, Social Entrepreneurs, EYElliance; June 2016

**Essilor See Change – Put Vision First global campaign 2017

What Causes Myopia?

Myopia has been shown to be genetic and environmental in nature.

• If you or your partner is myopic your child has a 3x greater risk of developing myopia.
• If both yourself and your partner are myopic your child has a 7x greater risk of myopia

Increased time indoors, increased close detailed tasks such as reading books, smart phones and tablets have also been linked with increased levels of myopia.

Myopia (short-sightedness) involves the eyeball being too long or too powerful. This results in blurred distance vision, however vision for close objects is clear within a certain range of distances.

The best method to identify and manage early Myopia is to have regular annular comprehensive eye health examinations as soon as child starts going to school. Then, undertake ongoing Myopia monitoring and treatment as recommended by the Optometrist.

How can Myopia progression be slowed down?

Spending time outdoors (especially in early childhood) can slow down the progression of myopia. However, it remains unclear whether the rise in short-sightedness is due to increase time using digital devices, due to light interfering with our circadian rhythms to influence eye growth; both or none of the above.

Essilor Stellest

Essilor’s latest innovation to slow down myopia progression in children.

Essilor Stellest spectacle lenses are an excellent myopia management option for slowing progression of myopia in children.

Most of children are equipped with standard lenses, however those lenses only correct myopia but the eyes keep growing and so myopia progression as well.

Essilor Stellest lenses correct myopia but also control its progression, with no compromises.

Are Essilor Stellest lenses safe for my child?

Essilor Stellest slow down myopia progression by 67% on average* compared to single vision lenses, when worn 12 hours a day.

Essilor Stellest lenses create a signal in the eye that acts as a shield against myopia progression. Stellest lenses are safe, aesthetic and simple.

Essilor Stellest lenses are made from polycarbonate, which is not only highly impact resistant, but also thin, light and offers great UV protection. Meaning Stellest lenses are perfect for active children.

As children are more likely to damage spectacles and spectacles lenses than adults it is essential that frame and lenses selected for children are up to the task, fit well and are highly durable to avoid eye injury.

Children are also more susceptible to the effects of UV radiation on the eye with approximately 80% of lifetimes exposure to UV in the eye occurring before the age of 18. The reason for this is a child’s cornea, crystalline lens and vitreous being incredibly clear and therefore transmits more light into the eye. This coupled with children having larger pupils, which again allow more light to enter the eye, and the fact children play outside more than adults means it is important children’s spectacles lenses offer adequate UV protection to avoid future problems such as cataracts and age-related maculopathy. MiyoSmart lenses offer both impact protection and outstanding UV protection.

HOYA MIYOSMART SPECTACLE LENSES

 Hoya MiYOSMART lenses use a novel and innovative D.I.M.S. lens design (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) to low myopia progression. The study measuring the effectiveness of the Hoya MiYOSMART lens technology showed a 59% reduction in myopia progression and a 60% reduction in axial eye growth (the length of the eyeball) when compared to the placebo group wearing normal single vision distance spectacle lenses.

Can my child have Hoya MiyoSmart lenses?

  If your child is showing signs of progressive myopia then MiYOSMART lenses may be an excellent option.
MiyoSmart lenses are available of your child’s spectacle prescription is under -10.00 and less than 4.00 dioptres of astigmatism.

Are HOYA MIYOSMART lenses safe for my child?

Hoya MiYOSMART lenses are made from polycarbonate, which is not only highly impact resistant, but also thin, light and offers great UV protection. Meaning Hoya MiYOSMART lenses are perfect for active children.

MISIGHT

MiSight 1 day contact lenses are a fantastic option in slowing the progression of myopia in children. We have been fitting MiSight lenses since 2016.

Why MiSight Contact Lenses?

MiSight contact lenses are daily disposable soft contact lenses meaning they are perfect for use in children. They are worn during waking hours from morning until evening, then simply removed from the front of the eye and thrown in the bin. Your child wears a new pair of contact lenses every day. No need for complicated contact lens cleaning solutions or storage cases.

NaturalVue

NaturalVue contact lenses are clinically effective for myopia progression control and are an excellent option in slowing the progression of myopia in children.

NaturalVue Multifocal 1 Day contact lenses are clinically effective for myopia progression control and are an excellent option in slowing the progression of myopia in children. We have been using this lens with success within our Myopia Management Clinic since the lens launched in the UK in early 2019.

Advantages of NaturalVue contact lenses in myopia control

One of the advantages of NaturalVue lenses in myopia management is the range of available powers. The lens can be used from +4.00 to -12.25 and is available in 0.25D steps. As a daily disposable the lens is perfect for younger members of the family. No need to clean the lens with contact lens cleaning solutions. No need to store contact lenses in cases. If a lens is damaged or dropped, simply replace the lens with another daily disposable. Children have consistently been shown to be safer contact lens wearers than adults by various studies. The risk of an eye infection wearing daily disposable contact lenses is 2 infections per 10,000 patient wearing years. So, the risk is very very small!

Overnight Correction

What is Ortho-k?

Correct your vision while you sleep!

Ortho-k lenses correct your vision while you sleep. Simply pop your ortho-k lenses in before bedtime, remove them in the morning, and wake up to a world of clear, sharp, natural vision without the need for spectacles or contact lenses. Ortho-k is sometimes called orthokeratology or EyeDream.

Myopia Management – Ortho-k for Children

Myopia Control – Reduce the progression of short-sightedness

Ortho-k is fantastic for children. Numerous studies on myopia (short-sightedness) and ortho-k have indicated that these lenses can dramatically slow, even stop, the progression of short-sightedness in children. Subsequently they can reduce the risk of developing associated problems, such as glaucoma, macular disease and retinal detachment in adulthood.

The improvements vary for each individual child, and the treatment has never been known to exacerbate short-sightedness, making it an excellent and safe option.

Who is Ortho-k for?

Ortho-k allows people suffering from myopia, or short-sightedness, to enjoy a life without lenses or specs during the day, whilst enjoying clear, natural, corrected vision.

Ortho-k is available for patients with the following prescription:

• Spherical spectacle prescription of -4.50
• Astigmatism of up to -1.75D

Ortho-k is ideal for:

• People who want clear natural vision all day – every day
• Sporty or active people
• Young people – Ortho-k can help to reduce the progression of shortsightedness
• People who have considered laser surgery but are worried about the risks
• People who find contact lenses uncomfortable or specs inconvenient

How does OrthoK work? – The Science

Safe, comfortable and effective vision correction

Ortho-k lenses gently reshape the curvature of the eye overnight. The cornea plays a key role in creating a sharp, optical focus. Upon waking, the slight change in cornea curvature is enough to create clear, sharp vision for the duration of the day.
In addition, it is believed that the refocusing of light on the peripheral retina can slow down the progression of short-sightedness in children.
Ortho-k has been in use in the UK since 2002 and is only ever fitted by an optical specialist. It is non-invasive, comfortable, effective and safe and has already transformed the lives of thousands of people.