Myopia Management at Focused Eye Care
Slow the progression of your child’s nearsightedness.
What is myopia?
Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is the inability to see objects clearly at a distance. Myopia develops when the length of the eyeball becomes longer, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. Myopia typically starts to develop in childhood and often progresses until about early adulthood.
Myopia is on the rise
Nearsightedness is a growing concern in the US and other countries. In the US alone, more than 40% of Americans have myopia and that number is increasing at an alarming rate, particularly amongst school-aged children. It is estimated that by the year 2050, roughly half of the world’s population will be affected by this eye condition. Many researchers believe the rise can be attributed to more time spent staring at screens and less time outdoors.
With increased myopia comes an increased risk of various sight-threatening complications including retinal detachment, cataracts, and myopic macular degeneration.
What is myopia management?
The goal of myopia management is slow down, or even halt, the progression of your child’s myopia utilizing FDA approved and well-researched technologies.
Your child’s nearsightedness does NOT need to progress year after year. Here are some of the options available at Focused Eye Care:
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MiSight® 1 day contact lenses
MiSight® 1 day contact lenses are the first and only FDA-approved* soft daily contact lenses to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment. Click here to learn more about MiSight® 1 day contact lenses!
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Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Orthokeratology lenses are a non-surgical option that temporarily corrects myopia so that no glasses or contact lenses are needed during the day. Orthokeratology lenses are worn overnight and reshape the cornea while sleeping to provide clear vision after removal. These lenses are have been shown to be safe and effective in slowing the progression of myopia in clinical trials such as the SMART study.
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Low-dose atropine eye drops
Atropine is an eye drop that causes the pupil to dilate. It is FDA approved for office use at 1%. Studies such as the LAMP study have shown evidence supporting the use of low concentrations of atropine to slow the progression of myopia. Low dose atropine of 0.025% slowed eye growth by about 30% and 0.05% by about 50% in the LAMP study. Side effects of low-dose atropine can include blurry vision up close and light sensitivity, but the LAMP study showed that these symptoms were well tolerated by the participants.
Together, we can stay at the forefront of myopia. Schedule an appointment with Dr. McHugh to discuss your options today!