myopia control
A NEW APPROACH
Our SightControl treatment program represents a new approach to managing short-sightedness (myopia).
In the past, and is still the case at the majority of regular optometrists, the main method of correcting short-sightedness in children and teenagers has been with glasses, with little or no attempt at slowing the rate of eyesight deterioration in these children while their short-sightedness progressed year by year, and their lenses got stronger and thicker at each visit. Meanwhile, with their increasing level of short-sightedness and growth of their eyeball, the risk to the child's long-term eye health is also increasing each year.
At Eyecare Concepts, we take a proactive approach in controlling childhood myopia. By prescribing treatments to prevent and delay the onset of myopia, and slowing the rate of myopia progression in short-sighted children and teenagers, we reduce the risk of potential myopia-related vision loss in these children's lifetime. So that they can enjoy better vision and the confidence of healthier eyes for the rest of their lives.
Real-life data of a young Australian boy's eyesight deterioration without myopia control.
Source: Brien Holden Vision Institute
It's time to change the old way of thinking.
With our SightControl program we apply the latest scientific research in myopia control to help stabilise your child's eyesight. Effective and safe treatment options are now available to slow short-sightedness progression by 30-75% (average reduction of 50%) in suitable children. This significantly reduces your child's risk of developing high degrees of short-sightedness and the associated risks of serious eye diseases and potential vision loss later in adulthood.
High myopia is now preventable.
THE SCIENCE
|
Myopia typically occurs when the eyeball grows too quickly during childhood and adolescence, at around 6 to 12 years of age. As the eyeball grows the eye structures stretch in length. Earlier onset of myopia is becoming more common, likely due to kids' earlier access to handheld electronic devices and increased reading and learning at a younger age. It is believed that the peripheral parts of the retinal tissues send stimulation signals to induce the growth of the eyeball. Ordinary spectacle lenses and contact lenses correct vision equally from the centre to the periphery. Recent research has found that when the peripheral retina receives different light signals, via a modification of the optics of the corrective lenses or by changing the shape of the eye surface with orthokeratology, the stimulating signals to promote eye growth are suppressed, thereby slowing down myopia progression. |
|
WHEN TO START?
As soon as significant myopia increase has been documented.
We review children with myopia at least every 6 months. We assess the child's risk of progression based on factors such as their age, current level of myopia, eyesight history, and genetic and environmental influences.
Where a high risk of progression is identified, we recommend starting myopia control treatment as soon as a significant and consistent myopia increase has been observed. A documented increase of -1.00D or more in one year (or over 2 review visits) over the baseline prescription is considered significant progression.
Where a high risk of progression is identified, we recommend starting myopia control treatment as soon as a significant and consistent myopia increase has been observed. A documented increase of -1.00D or more in one year (or over 2 review visits) over the baseline prescription is considered significant progression.
There is no minimum age to start myopia control treatment.
The types of suitable treatment available may vary with age, but there is no minimum age for starting myopia control in a child with advancing myopia. The earlier the treatment is started, the better the eventual outcome for the child. Your optometrist will guide you through the options and, together with you, decide on an individualised treatment plan most suited for your child.
The goal of treatment is to avoid developing high myopia.
The age of initiating myopia control treatment can greatly affect the eventual amount of myopia developed. Each year of delay during the critical period of rapid progression makes a considerable difference to whether or not the child will have high myopia, or even extreme myopia, for life.
Myopia progression prediction with age of starting myopia control treatment.
Avoiding high myopia means healthier eyes.
High levels of myopia are associated with significantly increased risks of eye diseases. Glaucoma, retinal detachment and myopic macular degeneration are all serious, sight-threatening eye conditions. Vision loss at any age can be life-changing, and certainly prevention is better than cure. While there is no 'safe' level of short-sightedness, we can lessen the risk of vision loss in an individual's lifetime by aiming to keeping a child's level of myopia as low as possible with treatment.
