Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a condition where distant objects appear blurry while close-up vision remains sharp. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development and severity of myopia. Typically, children of myopic parents are more likely to be nearsighted. Research indicates that children who spend extensive time on activities requiring near focus, such as using phones, tablets, or reading, are more prone to developing myopia compared to those who spend ample time outdoors. So why is myopia a concern? While glasses may not be bothersome and can even be advantageous for some tasks, myopia significantly increases the risk of various eye diseases. The greater the degree of myopia, the higher the likelihood of conditions such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. However, there are proactive steps you can take now to reduce these risks for your children in the future.
Myopia control is an emerging field of study. While research on myopia has been ongoing for decades, including extensive studies like The Orinda Study from UC Berkeley, we now understand more about controlling the development of myopic eyes in children. This control can limit myopia progression and potentially reduce the incidence of severe eye diseases later in life.
But how does myopia control work? For years, orthokeratology, a type of hard contact lens fitting, has been known to reduce myopia progression, though the exact mechanism was unclear. Recent discoveries have identified a subset of cells in the mid-peripheral retina that, while not involved in vision, play a role in regulating eye growth. When these cells perceive a focused image, they stimulate eye growth, increasing myopia. Conversely, a blurred or defocused image reduces this growth stimulus, opening new avenues for controlling eye elongation.
The three most prevalent methods for myopia control include contact lenses, specialized spectacle lenses, and atropine eye drops. Both hard and soft contact lenses, as well as atropine drops, have shown efficacy in slowing myopia progression, though they can present challenges and complications in practical use.
Globally, myopia control spectacle lenses have been available for several years. Recently, the United States approved its first FDA-approved spectacle lens for myopia control. Initial studies over two years demonstrate an average 71% reduction in myopia progression compared to standard glasses. These lenses work by inducing defocus in the mid-peripheral retina and can be worn for all daily activities, functioning like regular eyeglasses while significantly reducing nearsightedness progression.
We are thrilled to introduce these lenses and make a lasting impact on children’s vision and eye health. If you are myopic and have children, it’s crucial to begin eye exams early and initiate myopia control as soon as any signs of nearsightedness appear. The earlier the intervention, the better the long-term outcomes for your child’s vision.
