Hi Everyone,

I hope you had a great month of February. Since a lot of families are well into the school year by now, we wanted to cover a topic that can affect children in the classroom. Nearsightedness is known by the medical term myopia. Here we cover some of the ways that optometrists can help you see clearly at all ages.

You can book an appointment time on our website:  click here

Kind regards,
Harry Melides
Harry's Optometrist
harrysoptometrist.com.au
(07) 3848 6673

Educational Content Series:

Gaining Clarity: Understanding Myopia Control

3 min read

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is common amongst the general population and causes distant objects to appear blurry while close objects remain clear. With the prevalence of myopia on the rise, the concept of myopia control has garnered increased attention. In this newsletter, we'll explore what myopia control entails and why it's becoming an essential consideration for many eye care professionals.

Defining Myopia Control:

Myopia control refers to a range of methods and interventions aimed at slowing down the progression of myopia, particularly in children. The goal is to reduce the risk of high myopia, which is associated with an increased likelihood of eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment later in life.

Methods of Myopia Control:

1. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): This involves the use of specially designed rigid contact lenses that are worn overnight to reshape the cornea temporarily. This reshaping helps in providing clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

2. Multifocal Contact Lenses: Certain types of contact lenses, known as multifocal lenses, have been found to be effective in controlling myopia progression. These lenses have different prescriptions in different zones to help reduce eye strain and slow down myopia progression.

3. Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops have shown promise in slowing myopia progression. Atropine temporarily paralyzes the eye's focusing mechanism, slowing down the elongation of the eyeball that is associated with myopia.
   
   

For parents and individuals concerned about myopia progression, we are available to discuss this with you. By understanding the available methods and interventions, individuals can make informed decisions to safeguard their vision for the future. Myopia control is not just about seeing clearly today; it's about preserving clear vision for a lifetime.

Reference:

American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). (2022). Myopia Control: What Parents Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/myopia-nearsightedness