MYOPIA MANAGEMENT
It’s about more than vision!
What is Myopia?
Myopia, or near-sightedness, is when close objects can be seen well, but far objects are difficult to see.
This occurs because the eye is longer than normal, forcing light to focus in front of the retina. The increased length of the eye stretches the eye’s structures, making it more susceptible to eye disease.
In 2010, the global prevalence of myopia was 20%. By 2050, it is predicted that over 50% of the global population will be myopic.
Risk factors for myopia progression include:
- Family history of myopia
- Age of onset
- Little time spent outdoors (<90 minutes/day)
- Prolonged screen time (2+ hours/day
- Ethnicity
Tracking Myopia
Axial length (AL) is the distance from the front to the back of the eye. Measuring AL during routine eye exams allows us to monitor the growth of your child’s eye.
The longer the AL (and higher the myopia), the greater risk of certain eye diseases as an adult. Early intervention is key as even 1 diopter increase in prescription can cause as much as a 57% increased risk of myopic maculopathy.
AL can be tracked on a standardized growth curve (similar to curves for children’s height and weight). This helps predict myopia progression into adulthood.
Our Myopia Management Program
Our Myopia Management Program includes comprehensive, objective tests to monitor progression and individualize treatment strategies to find the best management method for your child. By managing your child’s progressing near-sightedness, we can reduce their risk of eye disease and reliance on glasses or contacts.
Comprehensive tests include:
- Axial length (AL): Measuring the length from the front to the back of the eye
- Corneal topography: 3D mapping of the shape and thickness of the surface of the eye
- Meibography: Taking a scan of the eye’s oil glands to detect early signs of dryness, contributing to myopia
- Drops: To temporarily relax the eye’s focusing muscles to determine a more accurate vision prescription
