Myopia Management
Do you find yourself squinting and struggling to make out objects in the distance?
Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness, is a condition where things in the distance appear blurry while nearby details remain clear. It happens when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it.
It often develops in childhood, worsening throughout the teenage years as the eye continues to grow. Without proper management, it can progress, potentially leading to serious eye conditions later in life.
Who’s most at risk?
Several factors can increase a someone’s likelihood of developing myopia, including:
- family history – those who have parents with myopia have more chance of developing the condition
- reduced time outside
- too much screen-time – this can make the elongation of the eye worse
Recognising myopia symptoms
Signs you or your child may have myopia include:
- faraway objects appearing blurry
- feeling the need to squint
- moving closer to the television or whiteboard
- holding reading materials close
- frequent headaches or eye strain
- rubbing eyes excessively
Children may also
- experience difficulty with sports or activities requiring distance vision
- struggle to keep up at school
Diagnosis and treatment options
At Broomfield Opticians, we offer comprehensive myopia assessments to determine if the condition is present and, if so, how rapidly it’s progressing. Early detection helps us manage the condition effectively.
Our myopia management programme focuses on slowing or even halting its progression as well as vision correction. We offer several evidence-based treatment options.
MiyoSmart spectacle lenses
These innovative lenses use D.I.M.S. (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) technology to reduce myopia advancement while correcting vision at the same time. Studies show they can slow progression by an average of 60% compared to regular lenses.
MiSight Contact Lenses
Daily disposable contact lenses are specifically designed for myopia control in children. These lenses are FDA-approved to slow its development and are suitable for kids as young as 8-years-old.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Special contact lenses worn overnight that gently reshape the cornea, reduce the rate of progression and enhance vision throughout the day without daytime lenses or glasses.
Lifestyle
We can also advise you on lifestyle changes that can help, such as:
- getting enough daily outdoors time
- managing screen-time by following the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds)
- proper lighting and posture during reading
