Our optometrist starts with a detailed assessment of your child's eyes, analysis of their past and current eyesight changes, and with careful consideration of their age, family history and risk factors, we will decide with you on an individualised treatment plan to best manage your child's short-sightedness.
We graph your child's prescription changes to visualise their rate of myopia progression and to forecast their eventual level of myopia with different treatment options. And we will continue to monitor their progression closely while on treatment, to tailor and adjust the treatment plan for maximum myopia control.
The treatment options in our SightControl system are detailed below.
The treatment options in our SightControl system are detailed below.
ORTHOKERATOLOGY
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K or OK lens) is currently one the most effective optical treatments for myopia control.
Ortho-K lenses are custom-designed rigid contact lenses worn during sleep. The lenses are made of a high-oxygen, breathable material and precision-shaped to fit your child's cornea so that gentle pressure is placed on the eyes at night to re-shape the corneal surfaces.
Everything comes down to compliance and comfort. For those wanting to not wear glasses, who do a lot of sports/swimming, or those wanting to wake up carefree, OrthoK lenses are one of our recommendations.
Our experienced optometrist's use a precision instrument called a corneal topographer to accurately assess and monitor minute changes in the shape of the eye.
Ortho-K lenses are custom-designed rigid contact lenses worn during sleep. The lenses are made of a high-oxygen, breathable material and precision-shaped to fit your child's cornea so that gentle pressure is placed on the eyes at night to re-shape the corneal surfaces.
Everything comes down to compliance and comfort. For those wanting to not wear glasses, who do a lot of sports/swimming, or those wanting to wake up carefree, OrthoK lenses are one of our recommendations.
Our experienced optometrist's use a precision instrument called a corneal topographer to accurately assess and monitor minute changes in the shape of the eye.
Non-invasive. Safe. Reversible.
This process of night-time corneal reshaping can be thought of as braces for the eyes. As well as controlling myopia progression, Ortho-K lenses will restore your child's vision which means glasses are not needed during the day and at school. That gives your child the freedom to participate in sport, swimming and all their other activities without the inconvenience of wearing glasses or daytime contacts.
Orthokeratology is an excellent option for kids with rapidly increasing myopia between -1.00 and -6.00.
Orthokeratology is an excellent option for kids with rapidly increasing myopia between -1.00 and -6.00.
ATROPINE EYE DROPS
Atropine eye drops is a medical treatment for myopia control with excellent results.
Atropine works in the eye to relax the ciliary muscle that controls lens focusing (accommodation). Simply put one drop into each eye before sleep, daily. The child continues to wear their glasses or contact lenses to correct their vision during their waking hours.
Atropine works in the eye to relax the ciliary muscle that controls lens focusing (accommodation). Simply put one drop into each eye before sleep, daily. The child continues to wear their glasses or contact lenses to correct their vision during their waking hours.
Easy. Next to no side effects.
Previously for myopia control, a very low-dose concentration of just 0.01% atropine was used. Extensive clinical trials on children have shown little to no side effects or adverse reactions at this dosage. However, further research has shown the effectiveness of higher dosages, especially for continued myopia progression (reference!).
Our therapeutically endorsed optometrist can prescribe this treatment for your child, and the eye drops are prepared and dispensed by a compounding pharmacist. We can give you recommendations of compounding chemists able to prepare the low-dose atropine eye drops.
MYOPIA CONTROL SOFT CONTACT LENSES
Myopia control soft contact lenses are a popular choice for myopia control and intervention. Easy, carefree, and comfortable daily wear whilst providing treatment.
The lenses are worn daily during waking hours, they are comfortable to wear and are a good option for all ages from young children to adults. It is also common in patients who do sports, not wanting to wear glasses, or wanting to wear soft contact lenses before trying OrthoK lenses.
The lenses are worn daily during waking hours, they are comfortable to wear and are a good option for all ages from young children to adults. It is also common in patients who do sports, not wanting to wear glasses, or wanting to wear soft contact lenses before trying OrthoK lenses.
A myopia control soft contact lens, such as the CooperVision MyDay MiSight 1 Day or Johnson&Johnson 1-DAY ACUVUE Abiliti, have special peripheral optics that help reduce myopia progression by modulating eye growth.
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Please note that ordinary soft contact lenses do not produce these myopia control effects.
MYOPIA CONTROL GLASSES
Standard single-vision lenses are not an effective treatment as they do not slow down the progression of myopia. Research has shown that single-vision glasses offer no protective effect against the eye's continued elongation, which causes myopia to worsen over time.
Myopia control lenses, on the other hand, are specifically designed to help slow the progression of myopia by up to 50% compared to traditional single-vision lenses. These lenses incorporate advanced optical designs that create controlled myopic defocus on the retina, a key factor in reducing further myopic development.
Myopia control glasses provide hassle free treatment, and are common in young children who are not interested in soft or hard contact lenses yet. No need to insert or remove any contacts, the treatment is all in the glasses lens. You are seeing and receiving treatment all at once.
Myopia control lenses, on the other hand, are specifically designed to help slow the progression of myopia by up to 50% compared to traditional single-vision lenses. These lenses incorporate advanced optical designs that create controlled myopic defocus on the retina, a key factor in reducing further myopic development.
Myopia control glasses provide hassle free treatment, and are common in young children who are not interested in soft or hard contact lenses yet. No need to insert or remove any contacts, the treatment is all in the glasses lens. You are seeing and receiving treatment all at once.
Our three main providers of myopia control glasses lenses are HOYA's MIYOSMART, Essilor's STELLEST, and Zeiss's MYOCARE. Certain lenses can also be made into sunglasses or photochromatic (transition) lenses.
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Bifocal and Multifocal glasses are NOT recommended for myopia control and will not be recommended by our optometrists as a spectacle treatment option.
RED LIGHT THERAPY (RLRL)
Repeated low level red light therapy is a promising approach for myopia management. This treatment involves the use of red light to stimulate the retina and slow down the progression of myopia.
With increasing research evidence demonstrating effectiveness in slowing the axial elongation of the eye in myopia, repeated low level red light therapy is gaining attention as a new alternative option for myopia management.
Red light therapy for myopia has been tested in clinical trials and has shown promising results. It has been found to be safe, easy to use, and well-accepted by children. It has also been shown to reduce the axial length and refractive error of the eye, which are the main indicators of myopia progression. This is still a growing area of research and more data is needed to confirm the long-term benefits, safety profile, and optimal dosage of red light therapy for myopia.
We have over 50 patients currently on treatment, ranging from children to adults. Below are our own optometrist's clinical experiences with our patient database for RLRL.
With increasing research evidence demonstrating effectiveness in slowing the axial elongation of the eye in myopia, repeated low level red light therapy is gaining attention as a new alternative option for myopia management.
Red light therapy for myopia has been tested in clinical trials and has shown promising results. It has been found to be safe, easy to use, and well-accepted by children. It has also been shown to reduce the axial length and refractive error of the eye, which are the main indicators of myopia progression. This is still a growing area of research and more data is needed to confirm the long-term benefits, safety profile, and optimal dosage of red light therapy for myopia.
We have over 50 patients currently on treatment, ranging from children to adults. Below are our own optometrist's clinical experiences with our patient database for RLRL.
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ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES
Studies have found strong evidence that inadequate exposure to sunlight contributes to the development of myopia. Kids who spend more time outdoors in the sun are more 'protected' against myopia. It is believed that regular exposure to bright sun light is linked to correct modulation of eye growth.
Environmental and behavioural changes may be beneficial in helping slow myopia progression, in conjunction with the prescribed optical or medical treatments above.