Myopia management

Myopia (Short-sighted) is a refractive error, or a vision condition that affects the patient’s ability to see distant images and/or objects clearly. Following a study published in the journal Ophthalmology in 2016, it stated that “Half the world’s population (+/- 5 billion) will by myopic by 2050, with up to 1/5 (1 billion) of them at a significantly increased risk of blindness if current trends continue.” Myopia management refers implementing a strategy, using various treatment options, to help slow down the progression of myopia in a child to protect them from an increased risk of various eye diseases which is associated with high myopia.

Risk Factors for developing Myopia

  • Ethnicity – higher risk factors in Asian populations and Caucasians take the longest to stabilize
  • Age – the most significant predictor of myopia progression is having a lower hyperopic refractive condition at 6/7 years old than what is expected
  • Parental Myopia – if one parent is myopic there is a 3-fold risk factor and if both parents are myopic this is increased to a 6-fold risk factor
  • Environmental Factors – Among the potential risk factors include:
    • The lack of natural daylight exposure and lack of physical activity i.e., spending too much time indoors
    • Excessive near work
  • Genetic Disorders – Marfan’s Syndrome

Which management option is the right one to choose?

There are no rules or specific guidelines about which myopic management technique/option is the correct option for a particular patient. The choice is made jointly with the parents and the patient, considering many factors, and understanding the various treatment options available.

There are 3 main treatment options to choose from:

  • Pharmaceuticals – Atropine
  • Contact lenses
    • Soft Multifocals Contact lenses
    • Dual Focus Contact Lenses
    • Orthokeratology
  • Spectacles – New lens designs – e.g., MiyoSmart, MyKids Pro etc

Conclusion

Myopia is a common refractive condition and in severe cases has the potential to be associated with severe debilitating ocular conditions (cataracts, glaucoma, myopic maculopathy, retinal detachment). There is still so much more that needs to be studied on the development and progression of myopia and although many risks factors have been identified, there are many treatment options available to help manage myopia. These options will be discussed with you on the day of your assessment.

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